What is an in growing toe nail?

The edge of the nail digs into the nailfold causing pain, swelling and infection. The pressure from footwear increases the pain and infection can result in redness with pus discharge. Often, the infection is recurrent.

What causes ingrowing toe nail and could I avoid it?

Often, there are no contributing factors. The sharp, spiky/ragged nail edge that digs into nailfold can result from improper nail clipping or injuy. Cutting the nail straight across will reduce the risk.

How could I selfcare for the ingrowing toenail?

Regular wash of the infected toenail will reduce the inflammation and infection. Cutting the nail straight across will avoid the inflamed nailfold. You may need a course of antibiotics to resolve the infection. Consult your doctor if symptoms don’t settle.

What are the surgical options if symptoms don’t settle or recur?

Wedge resection and total nail ablation are the surgical options. Wedge resection of nail is commonly practised and total nail ablation is the last option if it recurs in spite of wedge resection. Both the procedures are done under local anaesthetic as a day-case procedure. The recovery time (wound healing) from surgery is usually 2 to 3 weeks.

Wedge resection: This involves removing the edge of nail along with the nail bed. The cells responsible for growth of the nail are further destroyed using phenol.

Total nail ablation: This invoves removing the whole nail and base of the nail bed to prevent its re growth.

Surgical risks: Infection and small risk of recurrence.