An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes infection. It most commonly affects the big toe and can impact people of all ages. If left untreated, ingrown toenails can worsen and significantly affect daily activities such as walking, sport, and wearing shoes.
Toenails are designed to grow straight forward from the nail matrix. An ingrown toenail develops when the nail edge curls and presses into the skin beside it. This can trigger inflammation, swelling, and pain. Factors such as nail shape, toe anatomy, tight footwear, repetitive pressure, trauma, and incorrect nail cutting can all contribute. Once the skin is irritated, even normal nail growth can continue to aggravate the area.
Common signs and symptoms include:
Ingrown toenails are diagnosed through a clinical examination. Your podiatrist will assess the nail shape, surrounding skin, level of inflammation, and look for signs of infection. Imaging is rarely required unless another condition is suspected.
Treatment depends on severity and recurrence and may include:
If you’re experiencing toe pain, redness, or signs of an ingrown toenail, early treatment is key. Call us on 9431 5955 to book with our OHL Podiatrist!
