Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Leamington Spa

An ingrown toenail happens when the side or corner of a toenail grows into the soft skin beside it, causing pain, swelling, redness, and often infection. Many patients describe it simply as their nail growing into the skin, and it usually affects the big toe, though any toe can be affected.

An infected, painful toe is exactly what a doctor is trained to treat. At Renew Skin and Health Clinic in Leamington Spa, this condition is assessed by Dr Nawal Jha through a free WhatsApp consultation, and treated by Dr Atul Kothare, a GP with a special interest in minor surgery, GMC number 4595643. Dr Jha can examine the infection and advise on antibiotics the same day if needed, before Dr Kothare safely plans and performs surgery around diabetes, circulation problems, or blood thinning medicines. His full background is on his specialist profile page.

The medical term for this condition is an ingrown toenail, though many patients simply notice that a toenail is growing into the skin at the side. The result is pain in the tip of the big toe when touched, swelling, and often infection, since the trapped edge of the nail allows bacteria to enter the surrounding skin.

Many patients search for a podiatrist for this kind of problem. A podiatrist can help with routine foot and nail care, but when the toe is infected, or when medical conditions such as diabetes or blood thinning medication need to be managed safely around surgery, a doctor with surgical training is often the more appropriate choice. Dr Kothare combines both, a GP’s medical judgement and an FRCS surgeon’s operating skill.

• Pain in the tip of the big toe when touched
• Redness and swelling around the nail
• Infected toe with pus or discharge
• Bleeding from the affected edge
• Overgrowth of skin around the toe
• Toenail hurts when pressed or when wearing enclosed shoes

If your toe is hot, increasingly swollen, or the redness is spreading up the foot, this needs same day medical attention rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

• Curved or irregular toenail shape
• Cutting the nail too short or rounding the corners instead of cutting straight across
• A genetic tendency toward curved nail growth
• Side toenail infection following a minor injury
• Tight or narrow footwear that presses the nail into the surrounding skin
• Sports or repeated pressure on the toes
• Poor foot posture placing uneven pressure on the big toe

An involuted toenail describes a nail that curves inward along its length, sometimes called a toenail curve, rather than growing straight into the skin at one edge as a typical ingrown toenail does. The two conditions can look similar and can occur together, and both are assessed the same way, through a clinical examination by Dr Kothare, who will confirm which pattern applies to your toe and recommend the right approach.

An infected toe is a common problem associated with ingrown toenails, and seeing a doctor can make an important difference when an infection develops. Dr Kothare can assess the infected toenail on the same day, prescribe antibiotics when necessary, and, if surgery is considered the appropriate treatment, plan the procedure safely while taking into account factors such as diabetes, circulation problems, and any blood thinning medicines you may be taking.

At Renew Skin and Health Clinic, treatment is performed by Dr Kothare under local anaesthetic, so you remain fully awake and comfortable throughout. Depending on your toe, Dr Kothare will discuss whether a partial removal of just the affected edge, or removal of the whole nail, is the more appropriate option. Phenol is applied to the nail root of the removed section, which significantly reduces the chance of that edge growing back.

Most people return to desk based work within a day or two, though full healing of the toe typically takes two to six weeks. Since phenol is applied to the nail root during treatment, the treated edge is much less likely to grow back than with a simple nail cut alone. You will be seen for review appointments as part of your treatment, and support is available every day, including weekends, if you have any concern about your healing toe.

All prices at Renew Skin and Health Clinic are transparent and all inclusive, with appointments available within two weeks, a free follow up review, and every procedure performed by an experienced doctor.

For related minor surgery and skin lesion treatments, please visit Dr Kothare’s specialist profile, or view our full price list.

About Dr Kothare

Dr Atul Kothare has a long established career in the UK as a GP, with close to 20 years of experience in general practice. Before moving into general practice, he built a strong surgical career, successfully completing an MS in General Surgery and earning fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. He is on the GP register with the GMC.

His areas of special interest include musculoskeletal medicine and gastroenterology, and he has extensive experience providing minor surgery in Coventry, where he is also a recognised provider for vasectomy.

At Renew Skin and Health Clinic, Dr Kothare provides private GP consultations for both adults and children, alongside a range of joint injections and management of haemorrhoids using banding or sclerotherapy. His surgical work includes commonly sought procedures such as vasectomy, mole excision, and the removal of unwanted lumps and bumps, in addition to ingrown toenail treatment.

Patients searching for ingrown toenail treatment or an infected toe doctor in the Midlands regularly choose Renew Skin and Health Clinic in Leamington Spa. Our clinic is easily accessible from Coventry, Birmingham, Warwick, Rugby, Stratford upon Avon, and across Warwickshire. Dr Kothare’s surgical training and GP background mean you are receiving both medical and surgical expertise in a single visit, privately and conveniently in Leamington Spa.

• Call: +44 1926 422 454
• Email:info@renewskinandhealthclinic.co.uk
• Address: 18 Guy Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4RT, United Kingdom
• Whatsapp: +44 1926 422 454