Ingrowing toenail

Your GP should refer to to a podiatry clinic. Or try phoning your GP surgery and asking the reception staff if you can self refer, it varies as to where you live. I have been under the care of podiatry for years and have never paid a penny and been extremely happy with the care received.

I agree, you should not have to pay for it unless you want to. Admittedly you would get it done faster if you paid. I would follow what Izabella suggested.

Where I live all one pays for is the set of toenail clippers etc which are used on you and nobody else.

Rosiebee, not sure if your toenail is past helping but have you tried cutting a vshape with scissors at the top of your toenail?

Whilst having my nails done the girl clipped a V to relieve pressure, sanded the edges. I healed quite quickly.

I had mine done NHS through my GP. Very happy with the treatment and result..

Go to your GP. They should refer if necessary. £300 is a lot to spend if you don't need to.

I had mine treated by one of our GPs. Local anaesthetic and the side of the nail cut out. All done in 10 mins and no pain just huge relief ! I wore sandals for the appointment as I realised that shoes and a bandaged toe were not compatible. £300 sounds an awful lot !

I've had this done.
All the cutting of 'V's etc made no difference. I was attending a chiropodist every couple of months for about 20 years and paying about £30 each time, for really not much benefit. The consensus was that I needed the outer side section of each big toenail removed. Approx £650 for both toes. And I was afraid.
Removing only part of the nail means I can still have polished toe nails

Eventually it had to be done. I went to my GP and he referred me to the NHS Podiatry Clinic. The wait wasn't awfully long, about two months for an assessment. Then about another month to have the surgery done. Best thing ever.

The sliver is cut from the outer sore side of the nail and then that section of the nail bed is treated to stop it growing again. This was about 4 years ago. One of mine tries to regrow from the nail bed but I just keep it trimmed back. Bought really good clippers and pincer cutting thingy, very sharp and accurate.

The toe is frozen to have the surgery and a turnoquet is used to stop any bleeding. When the numbness wears off it's all a bit tender but nothing unbearable and there is a bit of bleeding. Used paracetamol for a couple of days. Dressings need changed and checked a time or two to ensure that healing was progressing as it should.
The dressing is only bulky for a few days, then it's minimal dressings. You'd be able to wear trainers OK. Maybe sandals for the first couple of days. It's not long until you'd be into ordinary shoes even if healing wasn't fully completed.

And now.... the bliss of wearing any shoes without fear of toe nail pain is great, I'd recommend anyone to go ahead.
If you can get it done via the NHS go for it.
Depends on the waiting list and how painful your toe is whether you'd want to pay or wait on NHS.
I'd do it again is a heartbeat.

My DD had her ingrown toenail cut by the Practice Nurse,maybe toy can ask in your practice to see if they can do it there.

Many thanks all. It sounds stupid but it never occurred to me to go via the GP. I'd assumed it was a bit like dentistry and that you'd have to pay for it. I've decided to have the surgery and feel better after reading what you've written.

I was referred by my gp for this procedure. I could not have this on the nhs as i wasnt diabetic. So as i was in agony there was no alternative but to have it done privately costing £500.
It took Ages for it to heal because of pressure when walking. My toe was still weeping blood and pus for about 18 months.
Its fine now, but its not something i would like to do again. Good luck.

Hi, I am booked in this Friday to have the toenail surgery so nice to hear that it has been successful for those that have had it done. silverling I am not a diabetic and am having mine done on the NHS, so if it should return (hopefully not) I would try another doctor.

Most of my toe nails grow in and I will need to have this surgery but wondered if anyone else had several nails done and, if so, how many were done at once? My podiatrist wasn't sure. I'm not too happy about having maybe four lots of surgeries and being off my feet for some time.

I have had this on both big toenails for years. I have always treated it by soaking feet in salt water for several days and it does work. I also use "pledgets", which are very tiny wisps of cotton wool which you soak in TCP and poke down the side of the nail with a cocktail stick - that works too.

But one of mine has got very bad now - it is turned right over on itself and digs in my toe. It is not infected but it hurts and will have to go at some point I guess.

Grandma Moira, I was not off my feet for more than a day. Was told to rest with feet up on the day I had it done. Afterwards, I just wore soft shoes or tieless sandals until it was comfortable to wear normal shoes.