Ingrown toenails are painful problem for many of us. We put up with them for far too long and wait until they go from bad to worse hoping they will fix themselves!! Of course this is largely due to the belief that having a professional work on our feet is going to be SOO much more painful than us hacking away at our own toes.
Of course nothing is further from the truth. The comments at the clinic which are heard frequently are “I don’t know why I waited so long”.
So what actually is an ingrown toenail?
This is when the nail has pieced through and in the skin. It will generally start to cause an inflammatory reaction and the pain starts.
Why do they hurt so much?
They hurt because it is a piece of nail which is stuck in the skin. I like to explain it like a getting a splinter in your hand. When it is in your hand it hurts but once you get it out it feel a LOT better.
How do people get them?
They are typically caused by poor nail cutting and leaving a nail splinter behind. Although they can be caused by trauma, footwear or even the shape of someone’s nails.
What can be done to fix them?
At the clinic if we are able to get to them soon enough we can simple remove the piece of nail which is stuck in the skin. This will cause either a small amount of pain or in many cases none at all. In other cases it has been left longer and we use local anaesthetic and then remove the piece of nail once your toe has gone numb.
Read our blog post “Ingrown Toenails – What Can I Do?” for more information on how we can help you.
Are you able to walk afterwards?
YES! After any ingrown toenail treatment you will be able to walk afterwards. At the clinic we assess each person and the ingrown toenail on an individual basis and advise appropriately.
How can I get an appointment?
You can contact the clinic on 9432 2689 or alternatively book online by clicking here.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is necessary.