Wallsend Podiatry and Chiropody Clinic

Common Toenail Problems

COMMON TOENAIL PROBLEMS

INVOLUTED TOENAILS

(Curled in Toenails)

“Involuted” toenails are very common and require careful cutting to prevent them from becoming “Ingrown “toenails.

INGROWN TOENAILS

(Onychocryptosis)

An “Ingrown” toenail occurs where part of a toenail actually penetrates the skin at the side of the nail.

They can be extremely painful and the toe may become inflamed, infected and swollen.

Causes include nail shape, poor nail cutting, sporting activities, footwear, injury, sweaty feet.

Treatments include careful removal of the ingrown portion of nail, nail cutting advice, dressings, footwear advice, nail surgery.

FUNGAL NAIL INFECTIONS

(Onychomycosis)

Fungal Nail infections can make the nails appear discoloured (white/yellow/orange/brown). They can also be thickened, rough and/or loose.

Causes include athletes foot, sweaty feet, wearing synthetic footwear, injury to the nail.

Treatments include the use of antifungal treatments applied to the nail and/or antifungal oral medication. Footwear and foot care advice is vital in treatment of fungal nail infection. Patience is required in treatment as this condition can take some time to resolve and it can reoccur.

TOENAIL SURGERY

(Total or Partial Removal)

Toenail surgery is a minor procedure that can be performed under local anaesthetic when a toenail problem will not resolve with conservative treatment.

The whole toenail can be removed. Alternatively one or both sides of the nail can be removed.

A chemical is applied to the nail bed where the nail has been taken away. This prevents regrowth of the ingrowing nail or portion of nail. Regular dressings are applied to the area until healing is complete (approximately 6-8 weeks)