Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Israel: Care in English with Dr. Andy Karf

By Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M · Updated November 4, 2026

If you live in Israel and need ingrown toenail treatment, you can get it in English. Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M, is a podiatric surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He treats ingrown toenails in private practice in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and Ashdod. There is no kupah (health fund) arrangement.

General information, not personal medical advice.

What to do today

What you notice	What to do
Fever, or redness spreading fast	Get urgent medical care the same day.
Any toe problem with diabetes or poor circulation	Don't treat it yourself. Get seen at the first sign.
Pus, a bad smell, raised red tissue, or pain that makes walking hard	Book an exam soon.
Mild soreness with no discharge or spreading redness	Try home care for a few days. Book an exam if it hasn't improved.

What an ingrown toenail is

The edge of the nail grows into the skin beside it, usually on the big toe. The skin becomes painful and swollen. Common causes include cutting the nail too short or rounding the corners, tight shoes, an injury to the toe, and a nail that curves naturally.

Home care and where it stops

For a mild case, soak the foot in warm water a few times a day and dry it well. Wear wide or open shoes until the pain eases. A regular pain reliever can help if you follow the label.

Don't dig at the corner with scissors or cut into the nail. That can make the angle worse and let infection in. If it hasn't improved after a few days, book an exam to find out what treatment you need. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, skip home care and go straight to an exam.

Infected ingrown toenail

Pus, a bad smell, and redness or swelling spreading along the toe point to infection. Raised red tissue that bleeds easily can form at the nail edge with or without infection, and it still needs an exam.

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if infection has spread into the surrounding skin. They treat the infection and leave the nail growing the same way, so the problem can come back.

Ingrown toenail surgery: what Dr. Karf does

Not everyone needs surgery. A mild case may only need the nail edge lifted by a podiatrist. When the problem is severe or keeps returning, Dr. Karf treats the nail root as well, in the clinic, using a method called chemical matrixectomy with sodium hydroxide:

The toe is numbed with a local anesthetic injection.
A narrow strip is removed from the side of the nail that grows into the skin.
Sodium hydroxide is applied to the part of the nail root that produces that strip.
The toe is dressed, and you get instructions for the days ahead.

The rest of the nail stays in place, and it ends up slightly narrower on the treated side. The aim is to stop that edge from growing back, though it can still recur. Other clinics in Israel use other methods, such as laser. Wherever you go, ask what will be done to the nail root and what happens if the problem returns.

Recovery

Most people walk out of the clinic on their own feet. Going back to activity is gradual and depends on the wound and your instructions. Follow the instructions you receive about footwear and dressing changes. Return to sports only after you have been cleared. Contact the clinic if pain gets worse or you notice pus. If you develop a fever or fast-spreading redness, get urgent medical care the same day. Don't wait for a clinic appointment.

Getting treated in Israel: kupah or private

You have two routes. A kupah (kupat cholim) is a public health fund, and you can ask yours what it offers for ingrown toenails and how to get seen. The other route is a private clinic like Dr. Karf's. You don't need a referral to book with him, but your kupah won't pay the clinic directly, so you pay privately. Ask about the fee when you book.

Private insurance is separate, and reimbursement depends on your policy. Before booking, check your coverage with your insurer. Ask whether advance approval is required and what paperwork you would need for reimbursement. Then check with the clinic whether it can provide them, in English if an insurer abroad requires it.

How to book in English

Most of this website is in Hebrew, so book by phone at 03-5124026 or on WhatsApp. Say you'd like the visit in English and which city suits you, then describe the toe in a line or two. You can attach a photo if you're comfortable sending one. See all clinic locations, or the page for the Jerusalem clinic.

Preventing another one

Cut the nail straight across and not too short, with the corners left visible above the skin. Wear shoes with room for your toes, and keep your feet clean and dry. If you have diabetes, check your feet regularly and leave nail problems to a clinician.

Common questions

Can an ingrown toenail heal on its own?

A mild one sometimes settles once the pressure is off and the nail grows forward. One with pus, raised red tissue or repeated flare-ups usually needs professional treatment.

How do I know if an ingrown toenail is infected?

Pus, a bad smell and redness or swelling spreading along the toe point to infection. A fever or fast-spreading redness needs urgent medical care the same day.

Does ingrown toenail surgery hurt?

The toe is numbed with a local anesthetic injection. Once it works you should not feel sharp pain, and if you do, tell Dr. Karf. Some soreness in the first days is common.

Can an ingrown toenail come back after surgery?

Yes, it can. Treating the nail root aims to stop the treated edge from growing back, but it can still recur.

Will my kupah pay for treatment with Dr. Karf?

Dr. Karf has no kupah arrangement, so treatment is private. Reimbursement from private insurance depends on your policy, so ask your insurer before you book.