Ingrown & Fungal Toenails

Painful ingrown nails or unsightly fungal infections can impact your comfort and confidence. At PodHaus, our expert podiatrists offer safe, effective solutions to restore healthy nails and keep you on your feet, pain-free and worry-free.

What Causes Ingrown & Fungal Toenails?

Ingrown and fungal toenails are common conditions that can cause pain, infection, and cosmetic concerns. Causes include:

Improper Nail Trimming – Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges can lead to ingrown nails

Tight Footwear – Shoes that crowd the toes can push the nail into the surrounding skin

Trauma or Injury – Stubbed toes or repetitive pressure can trigger nail changes

Excessive Moisture – Sweaty feet or damp environments promote fungal growth

Poor Foot Hygiene – Not cleaning and drying feet properly increases infection risk

Compromised Immunity – Diabetes, poor circulation, or immune issues can worsen nail conditions

Our team performs a comprehensive biomechanical exam, gait analysis, and imaging (if required) to accurately diagnose the underlying cause and guide your treatment plan.

Ingrown and fungal toenails are common and often painful conditions that can lead to infection if left untreated.

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail edge grows into the surrounding skin, causing redness, swelling, and tenderness. We begin with a full assessment to determine the severity and contributing factors such as nail shape, trauma, or footwear. Conservative treatment may include gentle trimming, antiseptic care, and education on nail care and footwear. For more persistent or severe cases, we may recommend a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) with phenolisation to permanently remove the problem nail edge.

Fungal toenails, also known as onychomycosis, often present as thickened, discoloured, brittle, or crumbly nails. We manage this through mechanical nail reduction, topical antifungal treatments, and prevention advice. In more persistent cases, we may recommend pathology testing or refer you to your GP for oral antifungal medication.

We focus on restoring nail health, preventing recurrence, and relieving discomfort

Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Redness, swelling, or tenderness around the nail
Thickened, brittle, or discoloured toenails
Sharp pain along the edge of the nail
Pus or drainage from the nail border
Foul odour or persistent itching

Treatment Options at PodHaus Podiatry

We focus on non-surgical, effective solutions first. Your treatment may include:

Nail trimming and debridement to relieve pressure

Antifungal medications (topical or oral) for fungal infections

Warm saltwater soaks to reduce inflammation

Footwear advice to prevent recurrence and pressure

Offloading strategies

Partial or full nail avulsion for severe or recurring cases

Need Expert Foot Care?

Let Us Guide You. Reach out to us, your comfort starts with a conversation.