Ingrown Toenail Treatment Camberwell
Assessment, conservative treatment and minor surgery for painful, infected or recurring ingrown toenails.
Book Appointment
Online booking
Find a Doctor
Meet the GP team
Our Services
Care for all ages
Fees & Billing
Mixed billing information
Do not ignore worsening pain or signs of infection.
An ingrown toenail develops when the side of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. It most often affects the big toe and can cause tenderness, swelling, redness, broken skin, pus or difficulty walking.
Our doctors assess the nail, surrounding skin and your symptoms before recommending conservative care, treatment for infection, partial nail removal or referral.
Arrange an assessment when symptoms are severe, spreading or recurring.
Prompt care is especially important when another health condition increases the risk of infection or delayed healing.
Pain and inflammation
- Manual breast checks
- Assessment of changes, lumps or discharge
- Imaging referrals when clinically appropriate
Possible infection
- Cervical Screening Tests
- Assessment for cervical cell changes
- Investigation of inflammation or infection
Higher-risk feet
- Contraception counselling
- Hormonal IUD services
- Implanon insertion and removal
Recurring problem
- Pregnancy and maternity care
- Antenatal monitoring
- Blood, urine and ultrasound referrals
Choosing treatment based on severity and risk.
Your clinician examines the nail and surrounding skin and checks for infection, circulation concerns or another condition affecting healing.
What we assess
The appointment considers your symptoms, how long the problem has been present, previous episodes, nail shape, footwear, nail-cutting habits and medical conditions such as diabetes or reduced blood flow.
Infection
An infected toenail may need wound care, drainage or antibiotics. Untreated infection can spread into nearby skin and, rarely, the underlying bone.
Treatment plan
Mild cases may respond to conservative measures. More painful, severe or recurring cases may require partial or complete nail removal, treatment of the nail-forming tissue or referral to a podiatrist or surgeon.
Non-surgical options for suitable cases.
Lifting the nail edge
For a mildly ingrown nail, a clinician may gently lift the edge and place suitable packing or a small splint beneath it to separate the nail from the skin while it grows forward.
Guiding the skin away
Taping or another protective technique may be used to pull irritated skin away from the nail edge and reduce pressure.
Nail and footwear advice
Keep feet clean and dry, wear properly fitting shoes and cut toenails straight across without cutting them too short or rounding deeply into the corners.
Expected progress
Conservative care can take several weeks as the nail grows. Follow the clinician’s instructions and return if pain, swelling or discharge worsens.
Partial nail removal for severe or recurring cases.
A minor procedure may be recommended when conservative treatment is unlikely to work or the same nail repeatedly becomes ingrown.
Local anaesthetic
The toe is numbed with local anaesthetic before the affected edge or section of nail is removed. You may feel pressure or movement, but the anaesthetic is intended to control procedural pain.
Partial or complete nail removal
Treatment may involve removing the ingrown section, a wider wedge or, less commonly, the whole nail. Your clinician will recommend the least extensive procedure appropriate for the problem.
Treating the nail-forming tissue
For recurrent cases, part of the nail matrix may be treated chemically, surgically or with another technique to reduce regrowth of the troublesome nail edge. Recurrence is still possible and results vary.
What happens after toenail removal?
The first 24 hours
Rest and elevate the foot for approximately 12 to 24 hours if advised. Keep the dressing clean and dry and use recommended pain relief only as directed.
Discomfort and activity
Mild discomfort can occur during the first week. Return to walking, work, sport and other activities according to your clinician’s advice and how the wound is healing.
Washing and swimming
Follow the supplied dressing and showering instructions. Avoid swimming and hot tubs until the wound has healed sufficiently and your clinician says it is safe.
When to contact the clinic
Seek advice for worsening pain, increasing redness or swelling, pus, fever, persistent bleeding, dressing problems or another concern about healing.
Reduce pressure and avoid damaging the nail corners.
Trim nails straight across, leave enough length to avoid cutting into the skin and do not tear or pick at nail corners. Choose shoes with enough width and depth for your toes.
If you have diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation or recurring foot problems, arrange regular professional foot care and seek advice before attempting home treatment.
Do you have diabetes or poor circulation?
Book a professional assessment promptly rather than treating an ingrown or infected toenail yourself.
Confirm consultation and procedure costs.
Fees depend on whether you require assessment, wound care, a minor procedure, pathology or follow-up appointments.
Before treatment
Reception or your clinician can explain likely fees and what is included before a procedure is arranged.
Explore related services.
Arrange an ingrown toenail assessment.
Book promptly for severe pain, infection, diabetes, poor circulation or a recurring problem.
