Evidence-Based Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

Abstract

Ingrown toenail is a common condition affecting toenails causing inflammation and pain. It is caused by the edge of the nail growing into the surrounding soft tissue. In this chapter we appraised the evidence that underpin the current approaches and we concluded that surgical treatments are superior to non surgical ones in term of recurrence rates (grade B). The use of chemical ablation reduces the recurrences rates regardless of the surgical interventions (grade B). Wedge excision is the first line of surgical treatment (grade C). Phenol chemical ablation has been the most widely used ablating agent and it should be compared to other agents in more robust studies.