Granulation tissue

Granulation tissue is new, highly vascularised connective tissue that the body forms during wound healing. If it grows excessively, it is colloquially called “proud flesh”. On the foot it is typically seen on the nail fold with an ingrown toenail.

What does it look like?

• bright red, moist and slightly shiny
• granular surface
• bleeds at the slightest touch
• often weeping and painful

Why does it form?

The ingrown nail edge permanently irritates the skin. The body tries to heal the area – as long as the irritation remains, the tissue keeps growing.

Treatment

The key is to remove the cause: we relieve the nail edge and guide the nail out of the skin with a nail correction brace. If the inflammation is severe or purulent, the toe needs medical treatment first. More in our guide Ingrown toenail.