Mehiläinen Helsinki Töölö · general practice appointment
A painful nail fold is worth treating before it becomes a recurring infection cycle.
An ingrown nail can cause persistent pain, discharge, granulation tissue and difficulty walking. First it has to be checked whether the nail edge is truly pressing into the skin, or whether the problem is something else in the nail fold or nail base. Treatment is chosen accordingly: local care, drainage of pus, partial nail removal or sometimes another route.
Allow enough time: if you hope the procedure can be performed during the same visit, it is often sensible to book two consecutive appointments. The decision to proceed is always made after assessment.
Price: examinations, supplies and a minor-procedure facility fee may be charged in addition to the consultation. See Mehiläinen’s price list; the exact estimate depends on the findings and procedure performed.
Available appointments and booking are handled in Mehiläinen’s appointment service.
Care route
When should I book, call 116117 or call 112?
Book an appointment if
- a nail fold is painful, draining or an ingrown nail affects walking
- you need to know whether local care is enough or partial nail removal is reasonable
- the problem is local and redness is not spreading rapidly
Call 116117 if
- redness spreads, fever develops or the toe becomes strongly swollen and painful
- you have diabetes, impaired circulation or sensation, immunosuppression or severe chronic disease
- there is a wound, trauma, black discoloration or suspected bone or deep infection
Call 112 if
- there is chest pain, severe shortness of breath, impaired consciousness, stroke-like symptoms or another emergency
- general condition deteriorates rapidly or the person cannot stay awake
- bleeding, pain or injury feels immediately life-threatening or function-threatening
This is not an emergency department. At the appointment the aim is to examine the situation and decide the next sensible step: self-care, medication, a minor procedure, tests or referral.
Booking
When is this the right appointment?
- ingrown nail or recurrent nail fold inflammation
- pain, discharge or granulation tissue at the nail edge
- difficulty wearing shoes or walking
- need to assess whether a procedure is the right solution
- 112 Finland: when to call the emergency number
- Medical Helpline 116117
During the visit
What is assessed during the visit?
- whether the issue is the nail edge, nail fold, nail base or wider infection
- whether partial nail removal, sometimes total nail removal or phenol treatment is appropriate
- instructions for local care, dressings and pain relief
- when follow-up or further assessment is needed
Aim
Purpose of the appointment
For nail problems, the aim is to decide whether local care is enough or whether a procedure is reasonable. If the nail edge keeps irritating tissue, it acts like a small hard foreign body in soft tissue. Usually only the problematic nail edge is removed, but sometimes total nail removal is considered. Phenol treatment may be used when appropriate to reduce recurrence from the same nail edge.
Booking details
What is useful to mention about a nail problem?
- which toe or finger is affected and whether the pain is at the nail edge or the nail base
- how long it has lasted and whether it recurs at the same spot
- whether there is pus, granulation tissue, spreading redness or pain that affects walking
- whether you have diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation or a previous foot ulcer
An ordinary side-edge problem and retronychia at the nail base are different. Treatment is chosen only after the painful and pressing area is seen.
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