Medical dermatology · Nails
Ingrown Toenail Treatment
An ingrown toenail digs into the skin, causing pain, swelling and infection. Dermatologists treat it with nail splinting, partial nail removal and, for recurrent cases, chemical matricectomy.
Overview
Tight shoes and cutting nails too short are common causes.
At a glance
Mild
Soaks, cotton or splint under the nail edge.
Recurrent
Partial nail avulsion with phenol matricectomy.
Prevention
Cut nails straight across.
Frequently asked questions
Is the procedure painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic.
Can it come back?
Matricectomy reduces recurrence.
Is it covered?
Yes.
Related
Choose a specialist
Medical skin conditions need a dermatology specialist
Many Korean “skin clinics” focus on cosmetic procedures and may not treat skin disease. Board-certified dermatologists (피부과 전문의) are trained to diagnose and treat it, and medical dermatology is partly covered by Korea’s National Health Insurance. This page is general information, not medical advice.