How do I get rid of my ingrown toenail pain?

One of the most common foot problems I see in my Toronto podiatry clinic is ingrown great toenails.

Ingrown toenails, when left untreated, can become red, swollen, painful and even infected.   It can make wearing shoes very difficult when the shoe presses on the ingrown nail.

Nonsurgical treatment includes warm salt water soaks.  Try soaking your toe in a quart or litre of warm water with a tablespoon of salt for twenty minutes.  Do this two to three times a day.   Sometimes topical antibiotics can be helpful.

If the ingrown toenail persists it’s time to see your podiatrist.

When you come to my Toronto podiatry office, with your painful ingrown toenail, I will take a careful history and do a thorough foot exam.  I will then explain how the ingrown nail can be treated in order to provide permanent relief.

The procedure is performed painlessly with local anesthetic.  I carefully remove just the part of the nail that is digging into the skin.  I then treat the part of the root that is responsible for the ingrown nail with a combination of the carbon dioxide laser and an application of a chemical carbolic acid or phenol.  The laser and the phenol help to d decrease the chance of recurrence.  Only a small piece of the wedge is removed in order to maintain a nail that looks as natural as possible.

You are able to walk immediately.  All you have to do, in most cases, afterwards is apply an ointment and band aid on your toe daily for approximately two weeks.  I will see you in my office for check-ups to make sure the toe is healing properly.

If you, a friend, or a loved one would like to fix your ingrown toenails(s), please call my office at 416-486-9917 for a private consultation.  I look forward to helping you.