Ingrown Toenails: What Causes Them and How We Fix Them Painlessly
- Admin
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
An ingrown toenail might seem like a small issue — until it’s red, swollen, and too painful to wear shoes. It’s one of the most common reasons people visit our podiatrist, and luckily, it’s also one of the easiest to treat.
At Genesis Podiatry, we treat ingrown toenails quickly, gently, and often permanently, so you can get back on your feet without pain.
Signs of an Ingrown Toenail
• Red, swollen skin beside the nail
• Pain when walking or wearing shoes
• Tenderness to touch
• Pus or clear discharge (infection)
• Thickened or overgrown skin beside the nail
Most commonly affects the big toe — but any toe can be affected.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
There are a few common culprits:
• Improper nail cutting (especially cutting nails too short or curved)
• Tight or narrow shoes that put pressure on the nail
• Injury or trauma to the toe
• Natural nail shape (some are more curved or thickened)
• Genetics – thanks, Mum, Dad or Grandpa
Once the nail edge pierces the skin, it creates a painful cycle of inflammation and infection.
How We Fix Ingrown Toenails (Painlessly)
At Genesis Podiatry, we offer both conservative care and minor procedures, depending on the severity.
Conservative Care:
• Gentle lifting and trimming of the nail edge
• Dressing and infection control
• Footwear and nail care advice
Nail Surgery (if recurring or infected):
• Local anaesthetic — completely painless
• Partial (just the problem section) or total nail removal
• Optional permanent removal of the nail edge using phenol
• Minimal downtime and long-term relief
You’ll walk out the same day, and in most cases, never deal with that ingrown nail again.
Preventing Future Ingrown Nails
• Cut nails straight across, not curved
• Avoid cutting nails too short
• Wear shoes with enough toe room
• Don’t ignore early tenderness or redness
• Book in before it gets worse — prevention is easier than treatment
When to See a Podiatrist
• Ongoing pain or swelling
• Signs of infection (pus, heat, increasing redness)
• Recurring ingrown nails
• You have diabetes or poor circulation
Written by Christine, Podiatrist at Genesis Podiatry
