Ingrown Toenails
Helping You Move Better
Relief and long-term solutions for ingrown toenails
Melbourne
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. This common condition often affects the big toe and can make walking or wearing shoes uncomfortable.
At Spring Podiatry, we provide gentle, effective treatments to relieve discomfort and prevent the problem from coming back.
targeted podiatry solutions
Common causes of ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails can develop due to:
- Improper nail trimming (cutting nails too short or rounding the edges)
- Tight-fitting shoes or socks
- Toe injuries
- Naturally curved or wide nails
- Repeated pressure from sports or activity
Symptoms of ingrown toenails include:
- Pain and tenderness along one or both sides of the nail
- Redness and swelling
- Warmth around the affected toe
- Pus or discharge if infection is present
Don’t settle for pain, we specialise in bringing your feet back to health.
Treatment options
Treatment may include:
- Trimming and reshaping the nail to relieve pressure
- Removing the small piece of nail that is causing irritation
- Padding or dressing to protect the area
- Advice on proper nail care and footwear to prevent recurrence
For recurrent or severe cases, we may recommend a minor surgical procedure called a partial nail avulsion with phenolisation. This removes the problem section of the nail and prevents it from growing back.
More information about Ingrown Toenail Surgery.
What to expect in your appointment
We begin with a gentle examination of the affected toe to assess the severity. If infection is present, we may recommend antibiotics. We will discuss both conservative and surgical treatment options depending on your needs.
Preventing ingrown toenails
To reduce your risk:
- Trim nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short
- Wear shoes with enough room in the toe box
- Keep feet clean and dry
Is ingrown toenail surgery painful?
Most people say that the procedure is far more comfortable than they were expecting. We have written a comprehensive blog that answers this very question, which you can read here.
What does ingrown toenail surgery cost?
Ingrown toenail surgery costs $750 for one toe, and $250 for each additional toe (correct as of August 2026).
This is all inclusive of the appointment, local anaesthetic, procedure, dressings, and your follow up appointments.
If you have private health insurance with podiatry included in your extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate on this amount.
Can I walk after ingrown toenail surgery?
Yes, you will be able to walk out of the clinic after your procedure. No moon boot, no crutches, and certainly no wheelchair.
The numbness from the anaesthetic in your toe will last for a further one to two hours after the procedure. Although it may feel a bit strange, you will still be able to walk with the rest of your foot.
Your toe will be dressed with a thick protective bandage, so we recommend wearing open-toed footwear immediately after surgery to avoid putting pressure on the surgical site. You will find it hard to wear enclosed shoes because of the thick bandage.
Whilst you can walk, we recommend only performing incidental (as needed) walking around the home. You should avoid unnecessary walking where possible, to limit pressure to the surgical site as it begins to heal. In other words, give yourself permission to put your feet up!
Learn more in this blog article.
Book online for fast relief
If you have an ingrown toenail, early treatment can stop pain and prevent infection.