Ingrown toenail

One of the most common problems treated by podiatrists are ingrown toenails. The big toe is particularly prone to this painful condition. Causes may include incorrect nail cutting technique, trauma (such as stubbing your toe), nails that naturally curve sharply on the sides and dig into the skin wearing tight shoes.

Treatment from a podiatrist depends on the severity of the injury, but may include removing the ingrown nail section using a local anaesthetic.

Suggestions to prevent an ingrown toenail include:

• Trim nails straight across rather than rounding off the edges.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes that don't press on the toes.