Common Causes

• Improper nail trimming (cutting nails too short or rounding the edges)
• Tight or poor-fitting footwear
• Damage or repetitive pressure to the toe
• Hereditary nail shape (such as naturally curved nails)
• Foot structure or biomechanics that increase nail pressure

How Ingrown Toenails Progress

• Early Stage – Tenderness and mild swelling along the nail edge, often worsened by shoes or pressure.
• Moderate Stage – The nail begins to cut into the skin, leading to redness, inflammation, and sometimes drainage.
• Advanced Stage – The area becomes significantly swollen, painful, and infected, with pus or overgrowth of skin around the nail.

Treatment Options at Etobicoke Foot Clinic

• Treatment is tailored to the severity of the condition and your comfort:
  Conservative care – Careful removal of the offending nail edge, reduction of swelling, and proper nail care to prevent recurrence.
• Local anesthesia – For more painful cases, the toe can be numbed to allow safe and comfortable nail edge removal.
• Infection management – If the toe is infected, topical or oral antibiotics may be used along with nail care.
• Permanent solution – For chronic or recurring ingrown nails, a procedure can be performed to remove a small section of the nail and prevent it from growing back. 

Ingrown Toenail Procedure

• If conservative methods aren’t enough, a simple in-office procedure may be recommended:
  A small portion of the nail is removed under local anesthetic.
• The procedure is quick, safe, and minimally invasive.
• Recovery is usually straightforward, and patients are able to return to normal activity quickly.
• The success rate is very high when proper technique is used.

This option is especially helpful for patients with:
Recurring ingrown toenails

• Involuted or pincer nails (nails with a very curved shape)
• Persistent infections or severe discomfort

Don’t wait for the pain to worsen. If you’re struggling with an ingrown toenail, book an appointment with Etobicoke Foot Clinic today. Relief can often be achieved in a single visit.