Ingrown toenails ( Onychokryptosis) occur when the edge or corner of your nail grows into the skin next to the nail. Often causing pain, swelling and if left untreated possibly infection. The large toe is most often affected however any nail can become ingrown.
Possible causes include poorly fitting footwear, incorrect cutting of nails, trauma, sweaty feet, involuted nail shape and poor biomechanics.
Treatment: Conservative treatment often works very well. Correct nail cutting and shaping of the nail, with removal of offending splinter is always the first option.
Recurrent ingrowing nails often require surgical management, in the form of a partial nail removal (avulsion) with matrix sterilisation ( permanent sterilisation of base of nail with phenol). This is a type of keyhole procedure done under local anaesthetic and presents a more permanent solution.