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Ingrown Toenail Removal in Cardiff

Surgeon-Led ingrown treatment under lcoal anaesthetic in South Wales

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Google 4.9 star rating for Excel Clinic Cardiff - private surgery and dermatology

Ingrown Toenail Removal - At a glance

Duration

10-20 minutes

Anaesthesia

Local Anaesthetic

Return to Work

1-3 days office work

Full recovery

2-4 weeks

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of growing straight out. This causes irritation of the skin and can lead to pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection.

Ingrown toenails most commonly affect the big toe, but they can occur on any toe.

diagram of ingrown toenail

Why Ingrown Toenails Develop

Ingrown toenails can be caused by:

  • Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners

  • Tight or ill-fitting footwear

  • Repeated pressure or trauma to the toe

  • Naturally curved or thick nails

  • Previous nail surgery or infection

Why Choose Surgeon-Led Ingrown Toenail Surgery?

Many ingrown toenails can be managed conservatively or by podiatry. However, surgery performed by a doctor or surgeon is particularly appropriate if you have:

  • Recurrent ingrown toenails

  • Previous failed nail surgery

  • Infection, granulation tissue, or abscess

  • Significant pain affecting walking or footwear

  • Underlying medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, circulation issues)

Key advantages of surgeon-led care:

  • Medical and surgical decision-making, not just nail care

  • Ability to perform definitive procedures, including the Zadik (Zadek) procedure

  • Higher governance and infection-control standards

  • Suitable for complex or high-risk cases

When Treatment Is Needed

Mild cases may settle with conservative care, but surgical treatment is often required when:

  • Pain persists or worsens

  • Infection develops

  • The problem keeps coming back

  • Walking or daily activities are affected

Early treatment can prevent infection and reduce the need for more extensive surgery.

How Ingrown Toenails Are Treated

Treatment depends on severity and may include:

  • Conservative nail care

  • Partial (wedge) nail removal

  • Total nail removal (Zadik / Zadek procedure) for severe or recurrent cases

At a surgical clinic, treatment is performed under local anaesthetic with walk-in, walk-out care.

ingrown toenail treatment in Cardiff Excel Clinic

On the day - What to Expect

The ingrown toenail partial removal procedure is typically quick, often completed well within 30 mins. Your surgeon will numb the affected toe with a local anesthetic to ensure you feel no pain during the procedure.
 
Once the toe is numb, the surgeon carefully removes the ingrown portion of the toenail. A chemical called Phenol is applied to prevent regrowth of that part of the toenail.
 
The toe will then be bandaged up and aftercare instructions given. It is advised to bring flip-flops or open toe footwear to accomodate the bandages toe.
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Prices and Fees

Consultation

Pre-op consultation with surgeon- deducted if part of one-stop clinic

£150

Wedge Resection

Including anaesthetic, surgery, and post-op support

From £500

Zadek's procedure

Whole toenail Removal

From £700

Frequently Asked Questions

The consultation and procedure should take around 30 minutes.

Yes  – local anaesthetic will be used to numb the toe but you will be awake. Touch and pressure will be felt, but not pain.  

The procedure will be performed by a surgeon specialised in ingrown toenail surgery.

  • Wedge resection: usually 2–4 weeks

  • Zadik procedure: usually 4–8 weeks

Recovery time varies depending on the procedure and individual healing.

It is advised to relax and put your feet up for the rest of the day. However you are able to return to normal activities after 48 hours, as long as care is take not to put pressure or stress on the toe.  Avoid sports for 2 weeks.

You are able to return to work after 48 hours, unless you work in a physical job that may put strain on your toes, in which case you will need a longer time off work.

How to Find Us

We are conveniently located in Cardiff Gate International Business Park, just off Junction M4 Junction 30

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Surgeon-led treatment • Local anaesthetic • Walk in, walk out

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