How long does the nail brace need to be worn?

The duration of wearing the nail brace depends on your individual situation but generally ranges from 8 weeks to several months.

Treating Ingrown Toenails with a Nail Brace

An ingrown toenail often comes with severe pain. The toe feels pressured while walking or standing and is frequently inflamed in the affected area. The nail fold may show redness and tenderness. At this stage, home remedies are usually ineffective and can even worsen the inflammation in the already sensitive area. In most cases, the big toenails are affected.

At the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich, we offer quick relief—our podiatrist carefully corrects the ingrown nail and prevents it from recurring with custom-fitted nail braces. Over time, your toenail will grow back into its natural shape.

How Ingrown Toenails Develop

Ingrown toenails often result from improper or overly short nail cutting, pressure from poorly fitting shoes, or trauma, such as stubbing a toe. They typically affect the big toe and can occur in both adults and adolescents.

Are you looking for an effective solution for ingrown toenails in Zurich? Contact us directly at the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich and book your appointment here.

Treatment with a Nail Brace

The nail brace is a highly effective technique for treating ingrown toenails. A small brace is placed on the affected nail, gently lifting it to correct its growth direction. At the same time, the brace reduces pressure on the nail bed, alleviating discomfort. The brace is typically made of thin, flexible wire or a special plastic material. Our podiatrist customizes it to fit the size and shape of your nail.

Your Treatment Process

During your initial consultation at the Swiss Derma Clinic, we carefully examine your toe and work with our podiatrist to plan your treatment. The application of the nail brace is a precise and gentle procedure. Your toe is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the custom-fitted brace is placed and adjusted on your nail. The brace gradually guides the nail into the desired growth direction. Follow-up appointments will monitor your progress and, if necessary, adjust the brace to ensure continuous and effective correction of the nail’s growth and optimal healing.

What You Can Expect from Nail Brace Treatment

The nail brace treatment effectively alleviates the symptoms and improves your quality of life by enabling pain-free movement.

Minimally invasive procedure performed by our experienced podiatrist.
Immediate relief from pain and pressure.
Reliable results through targeted correction of nail growth.
No impact on daily life and no downtime required.

Evangelia (Lia) Georgouli, MD

Dermatology and venereology specialist

Managing Director

Head Doctor

I love my profession as a dermatologist. I keep up with scientific and technological developments and apply the very latest proven techniques. Moreover, I never stop working on my professional development. This means I can ensure that the individual care you receive at Swiss Derma Clinic is always of the highest standard.

Why do toenails become ingrown?

Improper nail-cutting techniques often play a significant role. Many people cut their nails too short, and tight or ill-fitting shoes also contribute to the issue. These factors press the nail into the surrounding skin, causing pain during walking. Over time, granulation tissue may form over the irritated area, allowing the nail to grow inward. This can be accompanied by bacterial infections, further complicating the condition.

Are there special care instructions after applying the nail brace?

Yes, there are important steps to ensure proper care:

Hygiene: Keep the treated area clean and dry. Wash your feet daily with mild soap and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Footwear: Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes that provide ample space for your toes to reduce pressure on the treated toe.
Activities: Avoid activities that place excessive pressure on the toe until the nail is fully healed.
Follow-ups: Attend all recommended follow-up appointments to ensure the brace remains correctly positioned and effective.

When will I notice results?

The timeline for noticeable improvement varies as each individual responds differently to treatment. Many patients report immediate relief from pressure and pain after the brace is applied. However, the corrective effect on nail growth and sustained relief from symptoms may take a few weeks, depending on the nail’s growth rate and the severity of the initial ingrown condition.