Ingrown Toenails

Southwest Foot & Ankle Centre provide ingrown toenail treatments (onychocryptosis) at our Bunbury and Australind clinics. This includes ingrown toenail surgery for a permanent solution.

For more information regarding our podiatry services, contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Centre today on (08) 9791 1319 or book an appointment online!

Ingrown toenails are a common complaint that can affect people of any age groups, but are most common in adolescents. An ingrown toenail is when your toenail curls or pushes into the skin fold, causing pain, redness and inflammation. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to secondary infection (often bacterial).

There are numerous risk factors which increase your chance of having ingrown toenails. These risk factors include:
• Genetics (e.g. family members also have ingrown toenails)
• Curved toenail shape (involuted toenails)
• Incorrect nail trimming technique
• Trauma
• Wearing tight fitting footwear which increases pressure on your toenails
• Excessive sweating/moisture
• Bone spurs (e.g. subungual exostosis) diagnosed with x-rays

The initial treatment options for acute ingrown toenails are often non-operative, to alleviate any secondary inflammation, pain and symptoms. This may involve wound care or gently cutting the nail back to relieve pressure on the skin. Footwear advice, toe-spacers, nail-trimming technique, taping techniques or saltwater baths may possibly aid in the recovery process.

Unfortunately, a high percentage of patients tend to experience recurrent ingrown toenails and do not have a long-term resolution of their symptoms with non-operative treatments. In these cases, a referral to our Specialist Podiatric Surgeon, Mr Paul Armanasco for a permanent minor surgical procedure may be required (e.g. nail wedge resection). Ingrown toenail surgery will involve having the side of the nail, nail bed and nail matrix (roots) of the nail removed. This can be performed under local or general anaesthetic.

Southwest Foot & Ankle Centre provide ingrown toenail surgery for a permanent solution to ingrown toenails.

We are experts in permanently removing ingrown toenails that cause pain, redness and inflammation. We can prescribe medications if required. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to secondary infection. Our goal is for you to be moving and doing what you love again, pain-free!

Our highly experienced clinicians provide quality care. Solve your ingrown toenail issues permanently at Southwest Foot & Ankle Centre.

For more information regarding our foot and ankle surgery services, contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Centre today on (08) 9791 1319 or book an appointment online!

In cases where a secondary infection is present, a course of oral antibiotics may be prescribed to help settle down the symptoms. However, antibiotics will not address the root underlying cause, which happens to be the nail physically penetrating and irritating the skin. Antibiotics alone may alleviate the infection, but will not resolve the condition.

Have a question? Contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Centre today on (08) 9791 1319, info@swfootandankle.com.au or book an appointment online!