Ingrown Toe-tail Surgery

At Northmead Medical Centre, we provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for ingrown toenails, including both non-surgical management and minor surgical procedures. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can cause persistent pain, infection and difficulty walking. Our experienced GPs will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence.

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge or corner of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin. This commonly affects the big toe and may cause pain, swelling, redness and infection. Without appropriate treatment, an ingrown toenail can become increasingly painful and may lead to recurrent infections that interfere with walking and daily activities.

Common Causes

Ingrown toenails can develop for a variety of reasons, including:

Incorrect nail trimming (cutting the nails too short or rounding the corners)
Tight or poorly fitting footwear
Injury or repeated trauma to the toe
Naturally curved or thick toenails
Fungal nail infections
Foot or toe deformities
Family history or genetic predisposition
Avoid attempting to cut or dig out the nail yourself, as this can worsen the problem and increase the risk of infection.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms may include:
Pain or tenderness along the side of the toenail
Redness and swelling
Warmth around the affected toe
Difficulty wearing shoes or walking comfortably
Infection with pus or drainage
Overgrowth of inflamed tissue ("proud flesh") in chronic cases

If you notice increasing pain, spreading redness, fever or significant discharge, medical assessment is recommended as soon as possible.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether infection is present. After assessing your condition, your GP will recommend the most appropriate management.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Early or mild ingrown toenails can often be treated without surgery. Your doctor may recommend:

Warm salt-water soaks
Proper nail trimming techniques
Advice regarding appropriate footwear
Dressings and wound care
Antibiotics if an infection is present
Pain relief medication where appropriate
Many mild cases improve with early treatment and good foot care.

Minor Surgical Treatment

If the ingrown toenail is recurrent, severely painful or infected, a minor surgical procedure may be recommended.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic in our fully equipped treatment room, allowing you to return home shortly afterwards.

Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

Partial nail removal (partial nail avulsion)
Complete nail removal, where clinically indicated
Chemical treatment of the nail matrix (phenolisation) to reduce the risk of recurrence, where appropriate

Our doctors will explain the procedure, discuss the benefits and potential risks, and answer any questions before treatment.

Recovery & Aftercare

Following your procedure, you will receive detailed instructions on wound care and dressing changes.

Patients are generally advised to:

Keep the dressing clean and dry as instructed
Wear comfortable footwear that does not place pressure on the toe
Avoid strenuous activities until healing has occurred
Attend follow-up appointments if required

Mild discomfort, bruising or tenderness is common and usually settles within a few days.

Contact your doctor if you develop increasing pain, redness, swelling, discharge or fever

Your local doctor specializes in
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