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Original poster

OMIGOD How Much for An Ingrown Toenail?

17 replies

Iamblossom · 17/08/2021 14:06

Allll my own stupid fault for not asking beforehand but I took DS2 to have a procedure on his ingrowing big toenail yesterday, having taken him to A&E a couple of weeks prior as I thought it was infected and couldn't get a doctor's appt. Got the all clear from them and booked him into a foot clinic, I had the same procedure many years ago now, at the same place.

Was expecting it to be about £150 ish max.

£450!! I nearly passed out! The real salt in the wound is that had I been referred, and consulted my private medical insurance I would have gone to a clinic on their list and they would have paid!

God I am so stupid. Expensive mistake.

OP posts:

bigbluebus · 17/08/2021 15:37

Yep - rookie error. My adult (student) DS had an ingrowing tonail when he came home from Uni for the Summer of 2019. As he wasn't registered with local GP I figured it was easier to get it looked at privately. I researched local podiatrists/chiropodists extensively and many has their price list online. He had 2 treatments from a podiatrist at £30 a pop but was then advised to contact his GP if the 2nd treatment didn't do the trick. By this point he was returning to Uni and was able to consult his GP there who got him a referral to the city hospital. He was fortunate to get the toe nail removed by the NHS at the end of Jan 2020. If he'd gone through our GP he'd still be waiting!

Ekofisk · 17/08/2021 15:42

A couple of years ago we paid £395 for one side of each big toe to be done, and then separately £295 for the second side of one of them.

Expensive, but so worth it given how overstretched the NHS is and how long we’d have had to wait. I feel your pain on not being able to claim on your insurance though.

Seeline · 17/08/2021 15:47

Had my DD's done earlier this year by podiatrist for just under £200. Had several follow ups for £30 as it wouldn't heal, but still far less than £450!!

Londono · 17/08/2021 15:48

Gosh, that is expensive. But console yourself with the fact that it is so worth it. I had one removed on the NHS as a teen and it was SO SO painful.

Londono · 17/08/2021 15:48

(The ingrown toenail, not the removal, I don't actually remember that bit)

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 17/08/2021 15:50

I paid £600 for DDs big toenails to be trimmed down each side. We would have waited 18 months on the NHS. With private treatment it is done nice and nearly. On the NHS they take off the whole nail.

Ekofisk · 17/08/2021 15:51

Yes, DS remembers pretty much instant relief from very painful toes, with just a bit of throbbing that lasted 24 hours and was taken care of with ibuprofen.

RicherThanYew · 17/08/2021 15:53

Where the HELL do you live that it's so cheap?!? I live in the Rhondda Valleys and I was told it's £1500 per toenail from the podiatrist herself. Therefore I've currently had my infected toenails since I begged on here for advice 4 years ago.

Forstarters · 17/08/2021 15:53

Have you spoken to your private medical insurance - they might cover that place even though you didn’t get advance go ahead

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 17/08/2021 15:55

My DS is booked next week to have 2 x ingrown toenails operated on. It’s £550 for one but we’re getting both done for £750, bargain! 😂
It’s so expensive but he’s been waiting for over 18months for an appointment on the nhs and we’re desperate.

Seeline · 17/08/2021 16:50

DDs wasn't total removal, just the trimming down one side. We're in S London, so I wouldn't have thought it would have been particularly cheap!

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/08/2021 17:16

@OneRingToRuleThemAll

I paid £600 for DDs big toenails to be trimmed down each side. We would have waited 18 months on the NHS. With private treatment it is done nice and nearly. On the NHS they take off the whole nail.

Only if clinically necessary, cosmetic appearance is taken into consideration.

If it’s too far gone though ie deformed then yes you’d take the whole nail off because a tiny thin strip of nail will left and catch on things.

Original poster

Iamblossom · 17/08/2021 19:42

@Forstarters

Have you spoken to your private medical insurance - they might cover that place even though you didn’t get advance go ahead

Yes I have, didn't think it would be that expensive so didn't get the referral they ask for, let them know in advance, or go to a clinic on their list.

I feel mildly better hearing the stories of PPs about the wait they had on the NHS and the ridiculous prices some clinic charge!!!

OP posts:

Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 18/08/2021 01:58

@RicherThanYew

That's unbelievable. I think she just didn't want the job and so overpriced it.

NoNotYou · 18/08/2021 02:29

@richerthanyew
Find someone else or ask GP for a referral

Tootsey11 · 19/08/2021 20:16

Can't believe these prices. Dp had 2 toe nails trimmed down by a private podiatrist. £40 for 15 minutes here in Ni.

KeepthePower · 19/08/2021 20:43

When DS2 had one the GP insisted podiatry is not and never has been available on the NHS unless you're diabetic. She prescribed antibiotics and agreed that the infection would keep recurring unless the cause was dealt with, but couldn't/wouldn't refer him anywhere.

It only cost £40 to get it sorted though.

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