Podiatry care for
ingrowing toenails
Ingrowing toenails can be painful, swollen and prone to infection.
Expert treatment can relieve discomfort, prevent recurring
problems and help you get back on your feet quickly.
expert care. Better outcomes
Why it
matters
A painful toenail is more than just an inconvenience. Left untreated, an ingrowing toenail can become increasingly painful, making it uncomfortable to walk, exercise or even wear shoes. The surrounding skin may become inflamed or infected, and recurring problems can significantly affect your daily life.
Seeking treatment early often means faster relief and can help prevent the condition from becoming more severe. If conservative treatment isn't enough, nail surgery can permanently remove the troublesome section of nail while allowing the healthy part to grow normally.
Common causes
Ingrowing toenails are commonly caused by nail shape, incorrect nail cutting, tight footwear, injury or repeated pressure on the toes.
Common symptoms
Pain, redness, swelling and tenderness around the edge of the nail, sometimes accompanied by infection or discharge.
Daily impact
An ingrowing toenail can make walking, wearing shoes and everyday activities painful, often worsening if left untreated.
Early treatment
Prompt treatment relieves pain quickly, reduces the risk of infection and helps prevent the problem from returning.
Permanent relief with
expert nail surgery
When an ingrowing toenail repeatedly becomes painful or infected, or conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief, nail surgery can offer a safe and highly effective long-term solution.
At Sevenoaks Podiatry, we use minimally invasive surgical techniques that have been shown to achieve permanent resolution of ingrowing toenails in up to 98.5% of cases. Every treatment begins with a full assessment to determine the most appropriate option for your individual needs.
Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA)
This is the most common procedure we perform. Under local anaesthetic, the ingrowing section of the nail is carefully removed while leaving the healthy part of the nail intact. In most cases, a medical solution called phenol is applied to prevent the removed section from growing back, helping to provide a permanent solution. The result is a slightly narrower nail that looks natural and no longer grows into the surrounding skin.
Total Nail Avulsion (TNA)
In some cases, where the nail is severely damaged or deformed, it may be recommended that the entire nail is removed. This procedure is known as a Total Nail Avulsion (TNA) and will only be advised when it is considered the best treatment option.
What to expect
Nail surgery is performed in our clinic under local anaesthetic and usually takes around 30 minutes per toe. Once the procedure is complete, you'll be able to walk out of the clinic and return home the same day.
Recovery & aftercare
Most patients experience very little discomfort following the procedure. The surgical site typically heals within 3 to 6 weeks, and we'll arrange three follow-up dressing appointments during the first month to monitor healing, provide aftercare and ensure your recovery is progressing as expected.
How we help
Assess
We'll carefully examine your toenail, discuss your symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Treat
We'll relieve pain, reduce inflammation and treat any infection where appropriate.
Protect
We'll advise on nail care, footwear and preventative measures, or recommend nail surgery for recurring problems.
Review
We'll monitor healing, provide aftercare and ensure you're recovering comfortably.
Have you got questions about your ingrowing toenails?
Call us, we're here to help:
Questions patients
often ask
Do I need nail surgery?
Not always. Many ingrowing toenails can be treated without surgery, particularly when caught early. If the problem keeps returning or is severe, nail surgery may be the most effective long-term option.
Is nail surgery painful?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn't feel pain during the treatment. Some mild discomfort afterwards is normal, but this is usually well managed with simple pain relief and following your aftercare instructions.
How long does it take to recover?
Most people can return to normal daily activities within a few days, although healing continues over several weeks. We'll provide detailed aftercare advice to support a smooth recovery.
Will the ingrowing toenail come back?
If a partial nail removal with phenol is performed, the treated section of nail is permanently prevented from regrowing. This offers a very high success rate for preventing recurrence.
When should I seek treatment?
If your toenail is painful, swollen, repeatedly infected or making it difficult to walk or wear shoes comfortably, it's a good idea to arrange an assessment before the problem becomes worse.