An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges or corners of the nail grown into the skin next to the nail and break the skin. They can cause pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, pus formation and infection.
Normally they effect the big toe, but can occur on any toe.
What causes an ingrown toenail
There are many reasons why a nail becomes ingrown, but commonly it involves footwear that is too tight, cutting nails too short, trauma to the nail, poor hygiene, genetics, abnormal nail shapes or poor stance.
Prevention of ingrown toenails
There are things you can do to help including taking care when cutting your nails, keeping good foot and shoe hygiene, keeping the feet dry and seeing a podiatrist or chiropodist.
Home remedies for ingrown toenails
Some of the things you could try at home to help include, warm baths/Epsom baths for the feet a few times a day and encourage the skin to move away from the nail, avoid keep cutting at the nail, allow feet to fully dry before using socks and making sure the feet can move around easily.
Treatments for ingrown toenails
Your 1st step should be to consult your local chiropodist or podiatrist to help. This is especially important if you have diabetes or underlying health issues. They will be able to treat you, if appropriate and provide an assessment for you.
In some cases a partial or full nail avulsion is needed, depending on the extent of the problem and whether it keeps returning. Your foot specialist will be able to advise upon this following your initial visit and assessment.
Ingrown toenail treatment in Worthing
At Broadwater Osteopaths we are lucky to have 2 footcare practitioners who can assist with ingrown nails.
They strive to provide the best treatments tailored to each individual client. Our focus is not only on the services we provide, but also educating our clients to maintain optimum foot health. All treatments take place on site at Broadwater Osteopathic Practice, Worthing.
A new patient appointment with either James or Sue will include a discussion about your medical and lifestyle history and a full examination to assess the condition of your feet and your current problems.
Discussion will be made following this assessment, regarding the treatment options, alongside any home maintenance needs. Treatment will then take place, if it is deemed appropriate, at this initial consultation.
Treatments commonly involve the removal of hard skin, corns and nail care. Ingrown nails, fungal nails and diabetic assessments are common reasons for a visit.
Some of our clients attend for a one off appointment to address specific issues. Others will attend routine maintenance to help preserve foot health and monitor the condition of their feet.
Sue Potten, our Chiropodist is HCPC registered. She has worked as a Chiropodist for over 20 years in Worthing and with the team for most of that time. She has a keen interest in patient education and supports many complex patients with their foot care needs.
James Barber is our foot health practitioner. He works with the team every Tuesday and within the local community the rest of his week. Several local nursing and retirement homes employ James to look after their residents foot care needs.
What’s Next?
Ready to take the next step in your foot care journey? Why not book an appointment with the team today. The practice is open 6 days a week, with evening and weekend appointments too. We have free onsite parking and professional, friendly therapists.
