Feet First Podiatry
Ingrown Toenail Removal Surgery & Treatment In Singapore
What is Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail is a common foot condition that occurs when the edge of a toenail, typically the big toe or the second toe, curves inward and grows into the surrounding skin. This abnormal growth can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including severe pain, redness, swelling, and even infection.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
1) Improper nail trimming: Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners can increase the risk.
2) Trauma to the toe: Injury to the toe can disrupt the normal growth of the nail.
3) Fungal toenail infections: This weakens the nail structure, making it more brittle and prone to cracking, which develops sharp corners and curve, increasing the likelihood of it digging into the surrounding skin and causing an ingrown toenail.
Signs & Symptoms of an Ingrown Nail?
✓ Pain: This is often the first and most noticeable symptom. The affected toe may be tender, especially when wearing shoes or applying pressure.
✓ Redness and Swelling: The skin around the ingrown nail may become red and swollen, indicating inflammation.
✓ Pus: In severe cases, a pus-filled infection may develop, leading to increased pain and swelling.
✓ Tenderness to Touch: The affected area may be sensitive to touch.
✓ Visible Ingrowth: The edge of the nail may be visibly curved and growing into the skin. Other possible symptoms:
- Fever: This may indicate your ingrown toenail is now infected.
- Warmth: The affected toe may feel warm to the touch.
- Increased pain: The pain may worsen over time, especially if left untreated.
• Difficulty walking: Severe cases may make it difficult to walk normally.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Singapore
Non-surgical home treatment for ingrown nails
1. Soaking: Daily soaking the affected foot in a luke-warm salt bath, can help soften the skin and reduce inflammation.
2. Antiseptic application: Application of betadine solution can help prevent infection.
3. Proper Nail Trimming: Trimming the nail straight across and avoiding rounding the corners can help prevent future ingrown toenails.
4. Wearing Comfortable Footwear: Choosing well-fitting shoes that don’t put pressure on the toes can reduce the risk of ingrown toenails.
Advanced non-surgical treatments in Feet First Podiatry Clinic
1. Nail plate lifting/packing: Carefully lifting the edge of the ingrown nail and placing a small piece of cotton underneath can help redirect the nail’s growth away from the skin.
2. Podiatrist’s toenail trim: This involves applying a small brace to the nail to correct its growth pattern. This is a popular and effective method in Singapore.
3. Anti-fungal treatment: Sometimes we need to target the underlying issue, which could be fungal nail infections that causes an ingrown toenail. To rectify the problem, we use laser treatment to kill all fungi, that to assist the nail restoration and growth.
Ingrown Toenail Removal Surgery
STEP 1: Numbing
Topical numbing gel to decrease the sensitivity to needle injection
STEP 2: Anaesthesia Injection
To inject into toes for preparing of surgery
STEP 3: Surgery
-Remove the affected ingrown toenail
-Apply “phenol”, a strong acid-based chemical to burn off nail-roots
-This helps to prevent ingrown toenail from occurring again
STEP 4: Post-op care
-Dressing stays on for 3 days
-Special shower instruction to keep the dressing dry
STEP 5: First Review
3 days after surgery
One week appointment provided
FINAL Review
10 days after surgery
Happy Toe
Feet First Podiatry
Why Choose Feet First Podiatry Clinic for Ingrown Toenail Removal?
Ingrown Toenail Removal Surgery
FAQs on Ingrown Toenail Surgery
How to tell if an ingrown toenail needs surgery?
Unless it’s a one-off incident, such as trauma to the toenail or participating in a marathon, that caused an ingrown toenail, most cases will require some level of surgical correction.
How long does a ingrown toenail surgery take?
The ingrown toenail surgery usually takes about 90 minutes. During this time, you will prepare paperwork, mentally prepare for local anesthesia, undergo the surgery, and recover in our observation room.
How long to keep bandage on after ingrown toenail removal
– 3 days until your next visit to the podiatrist.
– Usually, it takes around 10 to 14 days for our clients to fully recover and no longer require dressing care.
Can you still walk after ingrown toenail surgery?
Yes, you can still walk and function normally right after the surgery. The anesthesia usually wears off in about an hour. However, we suggest drinking plenty of water and resting for the first three days, until your next visit to the podiatrist.
How long does it take to recover from an ingrown toenail surgery?
Usually, it takes around 10 to 14 days for our clients to fully recover and no longer require dressing care.
How soon can you wear shoes after toenail removal?
You could wear open sandals after the procedure. To return to closed-toe shoes, it’s usually recommended on day 4, after the podiatrist’s review and the change to a smaller, thinner dressing.
Does insurance cover ingrown toenail removal in Singapore?
It’s recommended to check your insurance policy or consult with your insurance agent to obtain pre-approval for ingrown toenail surgery. Many major insurers in Singapore, such as Bupa, Cigna, and Allianz, often cover this procedure, especially if it’s medically necessary.
How much is ingrown toenail surgery cost in Singapore?
The cost of ingrown toenail surgery typically ranges from $800 to $1500, depending on the number of toes affected and the severity of the condition. At Feet First Podiatry, our fee is $860 per toe, and with additional follow-up visits (usually 2-3), the total cost, including GST, can be around $1,300.
Feet First Podiatry offers one of the most affordable and permanent solutions in Singapore.
Does ingrown toenail surgery hurt & how painful is ingrown toenail removal?
Most of our clients do not experience significant discomfort or pain after the surgery, even after the anesthesia wears off. However, we recommend avoiding crowded areas to minimise the risk of accidental foot injuries.
Post-ingrown toenail surgery is similar to a dental extraction. As long as you keep the wound site clean and protected from external trauma, minimal to no discomfort is expected.
Does nail grow back after ingrown removal?
At Feet First Podiatry, we offer ingrown toenail removal/surgery with a phenolisation technique. This unique procedure, performed only by trained podiatrists, offers a 97% success rate in preventing regrowth. The 3% of cases that may experience regrowth are typically due to:
1) Allergic to anesthesia, preventing surgical intervention;
2) Allergic to phenol, leading to the body’s rejection of the chemical and incomplete root destruction; or
3) Anatomical variations, where the nail root is too deep for the phenol to effectively penetrate and destroy.
Do toenails look normal after ingrown toenail removal?
Yes, however do expect a 10% to 20% reduction in width size.
What happens if you don't remove a ingrown toenail?
Unfortunately, ingrown toenails don’t simply “go away” as the condition involves a sharp nail edge embedded in the skin. It requires manual removal to alleviate pain and discomfort. The skin cannot heal properly while a sharp object remains embedded.
Should I see a podiatrist or GP for ingrown toenail?
You should see a podiatrist. Podiatrists are the only healthcare professionals trained to remove ingrown toenails using the phenolisation technique. At Feet First Podiatry, we do not recommend or promote a whole-toenail removal procedures, as they can cause excessive trauma to the nail root.
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