Toenail treatments in Twickenham
At Twickenham Health Care, we specialise in treating ingrown nails, fungal infections and deformed nails. Serving Twickenham and surrounding areas, we can quickly relieve pain and return your nails to their normal appearance.
Contact our Podiatrists for more information.
HCPC registered podiatrists
Advanced nail care treatments
Surgical options available
Ingrowing nails
They occur when the edge of the nail cuts into the skin in the nail groove. It often bleeds and becomes inflamed as the skin tries to heal itself but as the nail edge is in the way the wound cannot close. Healing tissue (hyper granulation) can grow on top of the nail with the toe swelling and becoming infected. Most ingrowing toe nails are caused by poor nail cutting or injury. A rough sharp edge is left in the groove which cuts into the skin as the nail grows. Close fitting shoes can make it worse pushing the nail edge further in. Involuted nails are similar except the nail has not cut into the skin but has curled down into the groove causing pain by creating pressure in the groove and thereby causing a build up of callous, sometimes forming a corn. They can also make ingrowing nails more likely.
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Treatment: Initial treatment involves cutting away the ingrowing edge or any callous or corns in the groove. The edge is then smoothed, relief is immediate though regular follow-up treatment is often necessary to keep the edges under control. To clear the problem in the long term we can carry out a minor operation under local anaesthetic. We remove the curved side of the nail permanently, cauterising that section of the nail root. It is a virtually painless procedure which cures the problem. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.
Fungal nails
Fungal spores exist everywhere in the environment, so everyone is exposed to them at some time or other. They are very easily picked up in communal changing rooms. Which is why athletes foot is the common name for fungal infections. Nail infection usually develops from athlete's foot as the infection spreads to the nail.
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Treatments: There are many over the counter treatments for fungal nails but they struggle to penetrate deeply enough to kill the infection if it has reached the nail bed. Getting the antifungal medication into the nail bed where the infection develops is the key to effect treatment. Clearanail microdrilling provides access to the nail bed or in severe cases removal of part or all of the nail may be necessary.
Oral treatments have potentially serious side effects and lasers are very painful with little evidence of success.
Clearanail
Empower
Growth
Clearanail is an exciting new method of penetrating the nail plate allowing access to the nail bed for anti-fungal medication. It is based on Controlled Micro Penetration (CMP) which is a computer controlled system that enables the podiatrist to safely make micro pathways through the nail allowing topical anti-fungal medication access to the nail bed in far greater concentration than otherwise possible. It is an entirely safe and simple method with virtually no pain or risk. Cross infection is prevented through use of a single use drill bit for each patient.
Damaged, broken & distorted nails
The nail root and bed can be injured in many ways, from a sudden trauma such as stubbing your toe or dropping something on it, to repeated minor trauma from close fitting shoes. If the injury is not severe, in time a new nail will grow out normally. However, if the root is damaged the new nail will be deformed and may keep separating from the bed.
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​Treatment involves filing them down to a reasonable shape and where appropriate applying a resin to remodel the nail to achieve a good cosmetic result. It is very effective and can be maintained with occasional follow-ups.
"Absolutely wonderful customer service and health clinic in Twickenham. I wasn't too sure what to expect as this was the first time I have seen a Podiatrist, but I was instantly put at ease and received great treatment from Levi. Levi is exceptionally warm, professional and offered me a range of solutions to my issue. I left feeling very happy with my treatment and the care I received. Highly recommend."
We can take care of all your toenail problems
Contact Twickenham Health Care and speak to one of our specialists
