Ingrown Toenail Treatment

What an Ingrown Toenail Is

An ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis) happens when the edge of a toenail, most often on the big toe, grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it. The skin responds as it would to any foreign body: it becomes red, swollen and painful, and can become infected.

It may be a one-off after a knock or a bad nail cut, or it may keep recurring — which usually points to the shape of the nail itself rather than anything you are doing wrong.

Signs and symptoms

• Pain and tenderness along one or both sides of the nail
• Redness and swelling around the nail edge
• Fluid, pus or an unpleasant smell if it becomes infected
• Extra "proud flesh" (granulation tissue) forming beside the nail
• Pain when footwear or bedding presses on the toe

What causes them

• Cutting the nails too short, or rounding off the corners
• Tight or narrow footwear that crowds the toes
• A stubbed toe or other trauma to the nail
• A naturally curved (involuted) nail shape, which can run in families
• Sweaty feet, which soften the surrounding skin and make it easier to penetrate

How We Treat It

Treatment depends on how severe the nail is and whether it keeps returning. Our podiatrists aim to relieve the pain at the first appointment and then address the cause. Care may include:

• Gently removing the offending spike of nail and clearing the nail edge, which relieves the pressure causing the pain
• Treating any infection present and dressing the toe
• Advice on correct nail-cutting technique and footwear, to stop it recurring
• For stubborn or repeatedly returning nails, a partial nail avulsion — a simple permanent procedure under local anaesthetic in which that narrow section of nail is treated so it does not regrow

About the permanent procedure

A partial nail avulsion treats only the problem edge, not the whole nail, so the toenail continues to look like a normal nail afterwards. It is performed in the clinic under local anaesthetic, so the toe is numb during the procedure. You walk out afterwards, and we provide dressing instructions and a review appointment.

Whether this is the right option for you depends on how often the nail has recurred and your general health — particularly circulation, healing and diabetes, all of which we check before recommending it.

When to Come In Sooner

• There is pus, spreading redness, heat or a fever, which can indicate infection
• You have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation in your feet — an ingrown nail should be treated early rather than monitored
• The toe is too painful to wear normal shoes
• It has been treated before and has come back again

Please avoid attempting to dig out the nail edge at home. It is the most common reason a straightforward ingrown nail becomes an infected one.

Common Questions

Does treating an ingrown toenail hurt?

Clearing a nail edge is often uncomfortable for a few seconds and brings immediate relief afterwards. Where a permanent nail procedure is needed, the toe is numbed with local anaesthetic first, so the procedure itself is not painful.

When should an ingrown toenail be treated?

As soon as it is painful. Early treatment is simpler, and it reduces the chance of infection or of granulation tissue forming. If you have diabetes or reduced circulation, it should be assessed promptly rather than left.

Will the nail grow back after a permanent procedure?

A partial nail avulsion is intended to stop that narrow edge of nail regrowing, while the rest of the nail continues to grow normally. We will explain what to expect for your specific nail at the appointment.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed to book. A GP referral may be required if you plan to claim through Medicare or DVA.

This page is general information about a common foot condition and is not a diagnosis. If you have signs of infection, please seek care promptly. Last reviewed September 2026 by the podiatry team at The Foot and Ankle Specialists.