It is caused by injury to the nail, (including loss of the nail through sport or injury), incorrect nail cutting, or tight fitting shoes. In many cases the shape of the toe nail may itself be the main cause.

• Always cut the nails straight across, or follow the shape of the toe - don't dig down the sides.
• Keep your feet clean, wearing clean cotton socks every day.
• Wear good fitting/roomy shoes, that preferably allow the feet to breathe.  

[Photo 1 - Ingrown toe nail]

Treatment
In most cases a single visit to the podiatrist will be suffice to alleviate the condition. This will involve removing the offending piece of nail. If the condition is too severe then a local anaesthetic can be administered. A sterile dressing should then be applied, and kept dry for at least 24 hours. However you will be pain free and able to walk immediately.

If this fails as a treatment then a Partial Nail Avulsion isindicated. This, minor surgery is performed by the podiatrist at our surgery local anaesthetic. This procedure usually takes 45 minutes.

A large dressing is placed over the area, which must be kept dry until your next visit. A series of re-dressings is needed until the wound has healed. This can take between 4-6 weeks. (Longer in cases of impaired circulation). The podiatrist will discuss post operative care. This procedure is a very high success rate, and is aesthetically pleasing. Only further damage to the nail may lead to a recurrence.



[Photo 2 - Post Ingrown toe nail surgery]