An ingrown toenail can be painful, red, and prone to infection. Dr Faizal Secretary assesses and treats ingrown toenails in Preston, from simple measures to minor surgery for stubborn or recurrent cases.
Same-day assessment · Minor surgery available · No referral needed
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of a nail, most often the big toe, grows into the surrounding skin. This causes pain, redness, and swelling, and the area can become infected, weep, or bleed. Common causes include cutting nails too short or curved, tight or narrow footwear, sweaty feet, and injury to the toe.
It is worth being seen if the toe is very painful, looks infected, keeps coming back, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, when foot problems need extra care. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become more painful and harder to treat, so early assessment usually means simpler care.
Dr Faizal Secretary examines the toe, treats any infection, and advises on footwear and nail care to settle the problem. For recurrent or severe ingrown toenails, a minor surgery procedure called a partial nail avulsion can be carried out under local anaesthetic, removing the offending edge of the nail and, where needed, treating the nail bed to reduce the chance of it returning. He will explain the procedure and aftercare clearly.
Partial nail avulsion and other minor procedures under local anaesthetic.
Learn more →GP-led assessment and treatment of skin problems.
Learn more →Prompt assessment when a toe is painful or infected.
Learn more →A GP visit at home across Fulwood and central Preston.
Learn more →Ingrown toenails are usually caused by cutting the nail too short or into a curve, wearing tight or narrow shoes, sweaty feet, or injuring the toe. Some people are simply more prone to them because of their nail shape.
See a GP if the toe is very painful, looks infected (red, swollen, weeping), keeps coming back, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Early treatment usually means the problem is simpler to resolve.
For stubborn or recurrent cases, a minor surgery procedure called a partial nail avulsion can be performed under local anaesthetic. The problematic edge of the nail is removed and, where appropriate, the nail bed is treated to reduce the chance of it returning.
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the toe, so the procedure itself should not be painful. The toe may be tender for a few days afterwards, and Dr Faizal will give you clear aftercare advice.
Mild cases can sometimes settle with warm salt-water soaks, good nail care, and comfortable footwear. If the toe is infected, very painful, or keeps returning, it is best to have it assessed rather than persist with home treatment.
No. You can book directly with Dr Faizal Secretary, and any minor surgery can often be arranged without a hospital referral.
Mon–Thu 5–8pm · Friday 9am–8pm · Saturday 9am–1pm.
Or call / WhatsApp: 07424 172034