BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuIngrown toenail removal - dischargeOnychocryptosis surgery; Onychomycosis; Unguis incarnates surgery; Ingrown toenail removal; Toenail ingrowthYou had surgery to remove part or all of your toenail. This was done to relieve pain and discomfort due to an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can occur when the edge of your toenail grows into the skin of the toe.Ingrown toenailAn ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the skin of the toe.Read Article Now Book Mark Article After you go home, follow your health care provider's instructions on how to take care of the toe. Use the information below as a reminder.When You're in the HospitalThe provider numbed your toe with a local anesthesia before the procedure started. The provider then cut the part of the nail that grew into the skin of the toe. Either part of the nail or the entire nail was removed. The nail tissue may be treated with a chemical to prevent regrowth.The surgery took an hour or less and your provider has covered the wound with a bandage. You can go home the same day.What to Expect at HomeYou will likely feel pain once the pain-numbing medicine wears off. Take the pain reliever your provider recommends.You may notice:Some swelling in your foot Light bleeding Yellow clear discharge from the woundAt home you should:Keep your operated foot raised above the level of your heart to reduce swelling Rest your foot and avoid moving it Keep your wound clean and dryDressingChange the dressing about 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. Follow your provider's instructions for changing the dressing. Your provider may recommend soaking your foot in warm water before removing the dressing. This helps the bandage to not stick to the wound.In the following days, change the dressing once or twice a day or as suggested by your provider.Keep your wound covered both day and night for the first week. You can let your toe remain uncovered at night in the second week. This helps the wound heal.Foot BathSoak your operated foot, if recommended, 2 to 3 times a day in the bath containing:Epsom salts - to relieve swelling and inflammation Betadine - an antibiotic to help reduce the risk for infection Dry your foot and apply antibiotic ointment if recommended. Dress the wound to keep it clean.ActivityTry to reduce activity and rest your foot. Avoid bumping your toe or putting a lot of pressure on it. You may want to wear open-toed shoes. If wearing closed shoes, make sure they are not too tight. Wear cotton socks. You may need to do this for about 2 weeks.You can likely resume your normal activities within a week or two. Getting back to sports may take a little longer.PreventionThe toenail may grow inward again. To prevent this, follow these tips:Don't wear tight-fitting shoes or high heels Don't trim your nails too short or round the corners Don't pick or tear at the corners of the nails When to Call the DoctorSee your provider again in 2 to 3 days or as recommended.Contact your provider if you notice:Your toenail is not healing Fever or chills Pain, even after taking pain-relief medicine Bleeding from the toenail Pus from the toenail Swelling or redness of the toe or foot Regrowth of the nail into the skin of the toe Open ReferencesReferencesMcGee DL. Podiatric procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 51.Pollock M. Ingrown toenails. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 194.Richert B, Rich P. Nail surgery. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 149.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 10/10/2022 Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, Subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone and Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Ingrown toenail removal - dischargeOnychocryptosis surgery; Onychomycosis; Unguis incarnates surgery; Ingrown toenail removal; Toenail ingrowthYou had surgery to remove part or all of your toenail. This was done to relieve pain and discomfort due to an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can occur when the edge of your toenail grows into the skin of the toe.Ingrown toenailAn ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the skin of the toe.Read Article Now Book Mark Article After you go home, follow your health care provider's instructions on how to take care of the toe. Use the information below as a reminder.When You're in the HospitalThe provider numbed your toe with a local anesthesia before the procedure started. The provider then cut the part of the nail that grew into the skin of the toe. Either part of the nail or the entire nail was removed. The nail tissue may be treated with a chemical to prevent regrowth.The surgery took an hour or less and your provider has covered the wound with a bandage. You can go home the same day.What to Expect at HomeYou will likely feel pain once the pain-numbing medicine wears off. Take the pain reliever your provider recommends.You may notice:Some swelling in your foot Light bleeding Yellow clear discharge from the woundAt home you should:Keep your operated foot raised above the level of your heart to reduce swelling Rest your foot and avoid moving it Keep your wound clean and dryDressingChange the dressing about 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. Follow your provider's instructions for changing the dressing. Your provider may recommend soaking your foot in warm water before removing the dressing. This helps the bandage to not stick to the wound.In the following days, change the dressing once or twice a day or as suggested by your provider.Keep your wound covered both day and night for the first week. You can let your toe remain uncovered at night in the second week. This helps the wound heal.Foot BathSoak your operated foot, if recommended, 2 to 3 times a day in the bath containing:Epsom salts - to relieve swelling and inflammation Betadine - an antibiotic to help reduce the risk for infection Dry your foot and apply antibiotic ointment if recommended. Dress the wound to keep it clean.ActivityTry to reduce activity and rest your foot. Avoid bumping your toe or putting a lot of pressure on it. You may want to wear open-toed shoes. If wearing closed shoes, make sure they are not too tight. Wear cotton socks. You may need to do this for about 2 weeks.You can likely resume your normal activities within a week or two. Getting back to sports may take a little longer.PreventionThe toenail may grow inward again. To prevent this, follow these tips:Don't wear tight-fitting shoes or high heels Don't trim your nails too short or round the corners Don't pick or tear at the corners of the nails When to Call the DoctorSee your provider again in 2 to 3 days or as recommended.Contact your provider if you notice:Your toenail is not healing Fever or chills Pain, even after taking pain-relief medicine Bleeding from the toenail Pus from the toenail Swelling or redness of the toe or foot Regrowth of the nail into the skin of the toe Open ReferencesReferencesMcGee DL. Podiatric procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 51.Pollock M. Ingrown toenails. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 194.Richert B, Rich P. Nail surgery. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 149.