Ingrown Toenail Removal
If you've ever had an ingrown toenail, you’ll know just how painful and frustrating it can be. That sharp, throbbing ache, especially when wearing shoes or bumping your toe, can make even the simplest tasks unbearable.
The good news? You don’t have to put up with it. At Brisbane Physiotherapy & Podiatry, we treat ingrown toenails every day, and in many cases, the relief is immediate.
About Ingrown Toenails and how our Podiatrists can help
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An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection. It most commonly affects the big toe but can occur on any toe.
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Incorrect nail cutting (especially rounding the corners)
Tight or ill-fitting footwear
Repetitive trauma (like stubbing your toe or pressure from sport)
Genetics (some people naturally have curved or thick nails)
Poor hygiene or excessive sweating
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If the pain is ongoing, the skin looks infected, or you're experiencing pus or swelling, it’s time to seek help. People with diabetes or poor circulation should never ignore a sore toe; small issues can escalate quickly.
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Our podiatrists, we assess the severity of the issue and recommend the most suitable treatment:
Conservative care: For mild or early cases, we may gently trim the offending edge of the nail, clean the area, and provide education on proper cutting techniques and footwear.
Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA): If the nail repeatedly causes problems or the area is infected, we may recommend removing a small portion of the nail. This simple procedure is done under local anaesthetic, and a chemical may be applied to prevent regrowth in that section. It's quick, safe, and offers long-term relief.
Total Nail Avulsion (TNA): In more severe or chronic cases — such as when the entire nail is thickened, deformed or repeatedly problematic — we may remove the whole nail. This is also done under local anaesthetic and may include permanent removal using a chemical. It’s often considered when multiple attempts at conservative care or partial removal haven’t worked.
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Most people recover quickly and experience little to no ongoing pain. We'll provide dressings, instructions, and follow-up care to ensure healing goes smoothly.