Ingrown nails are one of the most common nail complaints. The big toes are usually affected. The lateral edge of the nail presses deep into the surrounding tissue and causes pain. The injury to the skin can also allow bacteria to enter the skin and cause an infection.
The causes are usually shoes that are too tight or incorrect nail cutting. However, there are also inherited curvatures of nails, such as the crooked nail.
Ingrown toenails do not need to be treated as long as they do not cause any discomfort. If there is only a slight curvature, nail braces fitted by podiatrists can be promising. If the skin around the nail is inflamed or infected, anti-inflammatory painkillers, disinfectant foot baths, antibiotic creams or, if necessary, antibiotic tablets are used.
If these measures are not successful in the long term and the skin remains inflamed or there is persistent pressure pain, surgery is indicated.
During the operation, known as phenolization, a small strip of nail is removed from the toe after local anaesthesia and the site of nail formation is cauterized with an alcohol (phenol) so that the nail cannot grow back at this point.
The advantage of this method, in contrast to the still widespread wedge excision, is the more attractive cosmetic result and the lower recurrence rate.