In many situations this will not be a problem, providing you have adequate blood supply into your foot. If you have diabetes, your podiatrist will carefully assess your circulation with a Doppler ultrasound and other techniques to ensure it is adequate to heal your toe. If the blood supply to your foot is not satisfactory, then it may not be possible to offer a surgical solution to your problem. In this situation we may suggest periodic podiatry treatment to reduce the symptoms associated with the ingrown toenail. This is similarly the case for other chronic health problems that can also affect your healing and circulation. If you smoke, it is advisable to try and cut down or quit to improve your healing. There is a slightly increased risk of post operative infection in diabetes, particularly if your blood glucose control is not optimal.
