Ingrown Toenails

A typical ingrown toenail is a painful, inflamed nail edge and is one of the more common nail ailments affecting people of all ages on the Sunshine Coast. An Ingrown Toenail Surgery is a permanent solution that we specialise in at Elite Foot Care.

Ingrown Toenail Causes

Improper Nail Cutting Techniques: Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges can cause the nail to grow into the skin. It is vital to cut toenails straight across to avoid sharp corners that might penetrate the skin.
Footwear Choices: Wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow can apply pressure on the toes, forcing the nails into the skin. This is especially common among athletes and individuals who wear high heels.
Genetics: Some people inherit a tendency for curved toenails, which are more likely to become ingrown. The shape and structure of nails are often passed down from parents to offspring.
Trauma or Injuries: Stubbing a toe or dropping a heavy object on it can damage the nail and surrounding tissue, increasing the risk of ingrowth.
Poor Foot Hygiene: Not keeping feet clean and dry can soften the skin, making it easier for nails to pierce through it.
Certain Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and arthritis can affect nail health and increase susceptibility to ingrown nails.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

Ingrown toenails can cause a range of symptoms, which include:

Pain and Tenderness: Discomfort where the nail digs into the skin.
Redness and Swelling: Inflammation of the skin around the nail.
Infection: In severe cases, the site may become infected, leading to pus formation and increased pain.
Odour: Foul smell due to bacterial infection.

Ingrown Toenail Treatments

If your toe is not infected, we may be able to trim the edge of the ingrown toenail without causing discomfort. This is a non-surgical approach to treating your ingrown toenail. We can maintain this treatment regularly, typically every to six to eight weeks to keep your ingrown toenails from recurring.

Depending on the severity and recurrence of the ingrown toenail, we may consider a permanent ingrown toenail surgery performed under local anesthesia.

Ingrown Toenail Surgery

A typical ingrown toenail is a painful, inflamed nail edge and is one of the more common nail ailments affecting people of all ages. An Ingrown Toenail Surgery is a permanent solution that we specialise in at Elite Foot Care.

Onyfix Nail Bracing

The Onyfix nail correction system enables completely painless treatment of almost all forms of involuted and ingrown toenails.

Our Podiatrist fixes it to your nail, which is then brought back into its natural shape as it grows. The whole process is pain-free, during application and throughout the entire treatment!

Preventive care is essential to avoid recurrent ingrown toenails. Here are some preventive strategies:

Proper Footwear: Choose shoes that fit well, providing adequate room for toes to breathe. Avoid overly tight or high-heeled shoes.
Regular Nail Care: Ensure toenails are cut straight and not too short. Consider professional podiatry services for proper care.
Good Foot Hygiene: Keep feet clean and dry to prevent the softening of skin around toenail edges, reducing the risk of ingrowth.
Avoid Foot Injuries: Be cautious with physical activities that might put your toes at risk of trauma.
Address Underlying Conditions: Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis with healthcare professionals to maintain overall nail health.

Ingrown Toenail Surgery

If your ingrown toenail is recurring, the Elite Foot Care team offers permanent removal of your ingrown toenail with non-invasive nail surgery. This procedure is simple, painless and assures that the nail causing your pain will not return.

Ingrown toenails are one of the most common complaints podiatrists treat. A procedure called partial nail avulsion (PNA) can be a permanent and painless procedure for a persistent ingrown toenail. This may be necessary when a nail is repeatedly getting infected, painful, activities of daily living are affected, the person is unable to play sport and the person is unable to wear footwear.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia; a tourniquet is placed around the affected toe to reduce bleeding. Using specialised tools, the nail plate is lifted and the protruding spicule is removed. A chemical is used to destroy the nail matrix making the procedure permanent. There are no stitches required and the patients’ toe is cleaned and dressed. A PNA is performed in the clinic room and the patient is able to leave the same day.

A follow up after 4 days is required for evaluation of the surgical site to check for healing, infection and a new dressing is applied.

Onyfix Nail Correction System for Ingrown Toenails

The Onyfix nail correction system enables completely painless treatment of almost all forms of involuted and ingrown toenails. Our Podiatrist fixes it to your nail, which is then brought back into its natural shape as it grows. The whole process is pain-free, during application and throughout the entire treatment! Some advantages of the Onyfix system include:

Pain-free treatment
Rapid pain alleviation
Corrects the nail through physiological nail growth
Effective without exerting force on the nail
Combinable and individually adaptable system
Effectiveness confirmed by a study
Particularly suitable for diabetics
No restrictions on patient activities (incl. swimming/sauna)
Nail polish can still be used

Our Therapists

Our team of Podiatrists have decades of experience treating all hip, knee, leg, ankle, foot and heel pain as well as a range of skin and nail conditions including ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections and more.

They share a passion for helping the community stay strong and active, helping them achieve their ultimate health outcomes.

Their experience combined with the best treatment technologies available, allow us to achieve the best outcomes for our community.

Benefits of a personalised treatment plan

Reduced Pain

Using the worlds best treatment technology and methods, we can accelerate your recovery to achieve your ultimate health outcome sooner.

Increased Strength

With a prescribed exercise rehab program, your surrounding muscles will strengthen and take the load off your affected tissue. The result is lasting pain relief.

Become More Active

Working with your Podiatrist to complete your personalised treatment plan, you'll be able to do more of the things you love with friends and family.

How it works

1. Schedule an Appointment

Book online or call one of our friendly reception staff on 07 5328 3588 to find a time that suits you.

2. We Handle the Details

Our experienced Podiatrists will diagnose, create a custom treatment plan and treat in the very first session.

3. Be More Active With Less Pain

Spend more time with your family and friends being active and doing the things you love.

What you'll get...

Experienced Podiatrists

Our Podiatrists have decades of experience treating an array of conditions.

Comprehensive Consultations

Our Podiatrists will leave no stone unturned in finding the root cause of your issue.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Our Podiatrists will create a truly custom treatment plan to achieve your ideal outcomes.

Communication

Our Podiatrists will clearly explain your condition, providing insight into its nature and treatment options.

Best Treatment Technology

We utilise state-of-the-art treatment technologies including: Shockwave Therapy, 3D Laser Scanners, Lunula Fungal Nail Laser to provide our patients with the best possible care.

On-site Manufacturing

Our on-site orthotics manufacturing lab allows us to do same or next day orthotic dispenses.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenail Causes

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms