If you feel sharp pain at the edge of your toenail when walking, wearing shoes, or applying pressure, you might have an ingrown toenail. This common condition can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and, if left untreated, can lead to infection.

At Health and Style Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, our experienced podiatry team offers safe, effective ingrown toenail assessment and treatment plans designed to relieve pain and prevent recurrence.

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the side or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it. This often affects the big toe, but can occur on any toenail, leading to irritation and inflammation. If infection develops, redness, swelling, and discharge may follow.

Common Causes

An ingrown toenail can develop for several reasons:

• Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges
• Cutting the sides of nails aggressively
• Tight or narrow footwear
• Injury from exercise or trauma
• Natural nail shape that curves inward
• Genetic predisposition to curved nails

Signs & Symptoms

Watch for these symptoms:

• Redness around the nail edge
• Pain when touched or under pressure
• Swelling or warmth around the toe
• Pus or discharge with a foul smell (if infected)

When to See a Podiatrist

It’s best to consult a podiatrist if:

• Pain persists or worsens
• Signs of infection appear
• The nail repeatedly becomes ingrown
• You have diabetes or poor circulation

When to See a Podiatrist

It’s best to consult a podiatrist at Health and Style Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi if:

• Pain persists or worsens
• Signs of infection appear
• The nail repeatedly becomes ingrown
• You have diabetes or poor circulation

Professional Treatment Options in Abu Dhabi

At Health and Style Medical Centre, a podiatrist may provide:

1. Gentle Nail Edge Care

Careful trimming or lifting of the ingrown edge to relieve pressure.

2. Partial Nail Avulsion

Under local anesthetic, the problematic nail portion is removed to ease pain.

3. Matrix Treatment for Recurrent Cases

For nails that repeatedly become ingrown, a chemical such as phenol may be applied to reduce regrowth.

Prevention Tips

To help prevent ingrown nails in the future:

• Cut nails straight across, not rounded
• Avoid trimming nails too short
• Wear properly fitting shoes
• Treat fungal infections early
• Don’t pick at nail corners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can an ingrown toenail heal on its own?
Mild discomfort may improve with proper home care, but many cases benefit from professional treatment to prevent infection or recurrence.

Is an ingrown toenail an emergency?
Not usually, unless you see spreading redness, fever, severe pain, or you have diabetes or compromised circulation.

Should I try to remove it myself?
No. DIY digging or aggressive trimming can worsen pain and increase infection risk.

What is phenolization?
Phenol is a chemical used by podiatrists to prevent the regrowth of a problematic section of nail in recurrent cases.

Take Action Today

Early treatment reduces pain and the risk of infection and speeds recovery.
At Health and Style Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, we can evaluate your ingrown toenail and recommend the safest, most effective treatment.

👉 Book an appointment now: https://hsmc.me/
📞 Call us: 02 633 0515 055 511 6072
🏥 Visit us: Beside Al Thiqa Pharmacy & TAQA Distribution Head Office Abu Dhabi, Al Falah Street – Abu Dhabi