3 Ways to Treat Ingrown Toenails
More than likely over your lifetime you have had to deal with a problematic, painful ingrown toenail.
Often people leave ingrown toenails hoping that they will "grow out" but this often isn't the case as they can become more infected and painful.
Here are the 3 best treatment options currently available to treat ingrown toenails and prevent them from recurring.
Remove the Nail Edge Conservatively
An ingrown toenail usually occurs due to a poorly cut nail or curly toenail which causes a spike in the nail edge to penetrate the surrounding skin.
Using the correct technique and tools your Podiatrist can easily cut out the offending nail edge and smooth the nail edge to prevent irritation.
Your Podiatrist will also advise you to have daily saltwater baths and use Betadine to manage any infection that doesn't require antibiotics.
You may need to review your footwear choices for a small period as tighter shoes will cause more pressure on the nails.
It is advised to see your Podiatrist to trim any edges
Onyfix
Onyfix is a new, pain-free treatment of curly toenails.
Since introducing Onyfix into our clinic we have had great success in reducing pain from ingrown toenails.
The Onyfix system is a nail brace that your Podiatrist can apply to the base of your nail.
It is suitable for Diabetics and you can do everything that you normally would do on a day to day basis.
The Onyfix brace stays on your nail for the entire growth of the nail and helps to prevent the nail from curling as it grows.
Onyfix is a great alternative for people who have recurring ingrown toenails who don't want or are unable to have the surgery to permanently remove the nail edge.
Nail Surgery
Surgery for recurring ingrown toenail is an excellent option to help permanently fix the problem of ingrown toenails.
Under local anaesthetic in the clinic, your Podiatrist will cut a small slice down the side of your nail and remove it, after this, they will destroy the nail matrix where the nail grows from so that no new nail grows back.
This procedure is pain-free after the local anaesthetic, you will only feel some slight tugging sensation.
After the procedure, you will be left with a slightly narrower nail plate.
Your Podiatrist will give you guidelines to follow for infection prevention and you will need to see your Podiatrist regularly following the procedure.
What Should I Do?
Treating Ingrown toenails is a fairly simple problem to deal with if managed early
If you are still unsure what is the best way to manage your ingrown toenails then book in with your Podiatrist now who will perform a full assessment and guide you to the best treatment individualised for you!
Contact us on 8330 0004 or Book Online
I would love to talk to you about how we can help you build an amazing life from the feet up.
Alex Taylor
Podiatrist at Complete Podiatry