Ingrown Toenail Treatment Toronto
(Clinics in Scarborough & Forest Hill)

If you’re searching for painful ingrown toenail removal in Toronto, have you considered that there may be other options available? While removal is often recommended in extreme cases, partial removal and nail retraining are possibilities for more minor irregularities.

At Step Right Foot Clinic, we understand the discomfort and inconvenience caused by nail irregularities like ingrown toenails. We offer both conservative and surgical options that can be tailored to your needs. Come see a professional who has the knowledge and experience to address your issues as effectively and painlessly as possible.

What Are the Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails?

Many people with ingrown toenails experience pain or tenderness, redness, swelling, sensitivity to pressure, and hardened surrounding skin. It’s also not uncommon for ingrown toenails to become infected. Signs of infection include pus or discharge from the wound, fever, throbbing pain in the toe, bleeding around the nail, redness, and warm skin around the nail.

These symptoms are likely to get worse rather than improve. We understand how painful and disruptive to daily life this can be and aim to correct ingrown nails.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur for several reasons and, sadly, no one is completely immune to them.

You may develop ingrown toenails from wearing tight-fitting shoes or socks, wearing tights that crowd your toes, cutting your nails too short or not straight across, injuring your toe, picking or tearing at the corners of your nails, having sweaty feet, genetics, or having toenails with naturally curved edges.

Some medicines can cause ingrown toenails, as can having a fungal infection. They are also more likely in older people and people with diabetes or circulation problems.

Our Approach to Nail Correction

Our experienced chiropodists and podiatrist in Toronto take a comprehensive approach to nail correction and treating ingrown toenails, focusing on relieving discomfort and aiming for restoring the nail to its healthy state. We offer both conservative and surgical options to address various levels of severity and recurrence.

The treatment options you are recommended will depend on the severity of the ingrown toenail, how long you’ve been experiencing this issue, and how quickly it needs to be resolved.

Conservative Treatment Options

For mild to moderate cases of ingrown nails, conservative treatments may be sufficient to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence. Our conservative approaches may include:

• Professional nail trimming: Proper nail trimming techniques can help alleviate pressure and discomfort associated with ingrown nails.
• Nail retraining: In some cases, surgery can be avoided by reducing the pressure on the side of the offending nail and encouraging proper growth over time.
• Topical treatments: Certain topical medications or solutions may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and promote healthy nail growth.

In-Office Nail Surgery Procedures

When conservative care is no longer effective or the ingrown toenail keeps returning, an in-clinic procedure may be recommended. In cases where ingrown nails are severe or recurrent, surgical intervention may be recommended to provide long-term relief. Two common options are a partial nail avulsion and a total nail avulsion:

Partial nail avulsion:  

A partial nail avulsion is a minor surgical procedure involving the removal of a portion of the nail bed, typically the ingrown edge, under local anesthetic. In this procedure, only the affected portion of the nail is removed, leaving as much normal nail as possible. A chemical is usually applied to the nail root (matrix) to prevent regrowth in that area. This procedure is very effective at eradicating ingrown toenail issues permanently.  It allows for the affected area to heal properly and prevent future ingrown nails. 

Total nail avulsion:

In some cases, total nail removal may be recommended to address chronic or severe ingrown nails. A chemical may be applied to prevent regrowth, with one consideration being that the nail will no longer be present to protect the toe, which is discussed prior to treatment. In other cases the nail matrix may be left to try and regrow. This procedure involves the complete surgical removal of the nail matrix to prevent regrowth.

Benefits and Considerations

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery after ingrown toenail surgery is generally straightforward, with most patients experiencing noticeable improvement within the first 1–2 weeks. Mild soreness, redness, or drainage is normal during the early healing phase as the area settles. Most patients are able to return to daily activities within a short period, with full healing occurring over 3-4 weeks for partial nail avulsions and 1-2 months for total nail avulsions.

Keeping the area clean, covered as instructed, and avoiding tight footwear is important during healing. As the toe recovers, discomfort gradually decreases and normal footwear can be resumed. Following aftercare instructions closely and attending any recommended follow-up appointments helps support proper healing and reduces the risk of recurrence or infection.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Personalized Assessment and Treatment

At Step Right Foot Clinic, we prioritize personalized care and attention to detail. Before recommending any treatment, our chiropodists will conduct a thorough assessment to evaluate the severity of your condition and determine the most appropriate course of action. We will discuss all available options with you and ensure that you are fully informed and comfortable with your ingrown toenail treatment plan.

Your plan will also include follow-up appointments every three to six months (depending on the severity of your condition) to ensure that the issue is not recurring.

Your chiropodist will also provide instructions on how to prevent ingrown toenails in the future, such as trimming toenails straight and filing the corners to prevent sharp edges.

Schedule Your Ingrown Toenails Consultation

Don’t let toenail pain disrupt your life any longer. Treatment should be sought as soon as possible to prevent infection and progression of the problem (which can often require surgery to rectify). 

Schedule a consultation with Step Right Foot Clinic today to explore our nail correction and medical pedicure services and find relief from discomfort. Our team is dedicated to helping patients in Greater Toronto achieve healthy, happy feet through our Scarborough and Forest Hill clinics.

BOOK NOW