What is an Ingrown Toenail?

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of one of your toenails grows into the surrounding skin. As the nail pierces the skin, it causes pain, redness, swelling, and even infection. Walking and wearing shoes can be very uncomfortable. Ingrown nails tend to occur on the big toe, but other toes can also be affected.

Some causes of ingrown nails include:

• Improperly trimmed nails
• Inherited nail shape
• Pressure from shoes or injury
• Fungal nail infections

If left untreated, an ingrown nail can worsen over time and become severely painful. Repeated ingrown nails that don’t heal can also lead to more infections.

Treating Stubborn Ingrown Nails

Home treatments like soaking your foot or placing cotton under the nail edge might provide temporary relief from an ingrown nail. But if your ingrown nail persists or keeps recurring, it’s time to have it treated professionally by a podiatrist.

At The Rehab Hub, our podiatrists are experts at treating even the most stubborn, chronic ingrown nails. We offer several medical procedures that can permanently fix the problem:

Nail Surgery: We use specialised techniques to remove part or all of your problematic nail so that it can regrow properly.

Nail Bracing: A small orthotic is fitted to help brace the nail away from the skin as it grows out.

Medications: Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs help resolve infection and discomfort.

Custom Orthotics: Shoe inserts may be prescribed to relieve pressure on the affected toe.

Our Podiatrists Can Help You

Don’t let ingrown nail pain slow you down any longer. With The Rehab Hub’s advanced nail procedures and expert care, we can help you walk, work, and play pain-free again! Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled podiatrists.