What is the ingrown toenail procedure?
The ingrown toenail procedure is a quick, in-office treatment for a painful or infected ingrown toenail that hasn't responded to home care. Your podiatrist numbs the toe with a local anesthetic, then removes the portion of nail that is digging into the skin (a partial nail avulsion), immediately relieving the pressure and pain. For toes that keep getting ingrown in the same spot, the nail root can also be treated at the same visit (a matrixectomy) to significantly lower the chance it happens again.
The procedure typically takes only a few minutes and is done right in the office — no hospital visit or general anesthesia is required. Most patients are comfortable enough to walk out and resume light activity the same day.
Who needs this procedure?
This procedure is recommended when an ingrown toenail is significantly painful, keeps recurring, or shows signs of infection such as drainage, redness, or swelling that hasn't improved with home soaking and gentle care. It's also appropriate for toenails that have become ingrown repeatedly in the same corner despite careful trimming and footwear changes. Visit our ingrown toenail page to learn more about the symptoms and causes that typically lead to this kind of care.
People with diabetes, poor circulation, or nerve damage should have any ingrown toenail evaluated promptly rather than treating it at home, since minor foot problems can escalate quickly in those situations.
What happens during the procedure?
Your podiatrist first numbs the toe with a local anesthetic so you feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Once the toe is numb, the ingrown portion of the nail is carefully removed. If you're prone to recurrence in that same spot, the nail root can be treated at the same time to help prevent the nail from growing back in that corner. Patients who feel anxious about the procedure can also ask about conscious sedation as a comfort option.
Afterward, the toe is bandaged, and you'll be given clear instructions to take home for the first few days of healing.
What is aftercare like following the procedure?
Proper aftercare makes a real difference in how quickly and comfortably your toe heals. Typical instructions include:
- First 24 hours: Keep the bandage on and the toe dry. Some bleeding through the bandage in the first day is expected and normal.
- After 24 hours: Remove the bandage and keep the toe clean and dry going forward. You can resume normal activity and bathing at this point.
- Daily soaks: Dissolve one packet of the provided soaking powder in a pint of hot water and soak the toe for 10 minutes daily for about seven days. Pat the foot dry with a clean cloth afterward and cover the area with Amerigel or a bandage.
- Drainage: Some drainage from the treatment area for the first two weeks — sometimes longer — is normal as the toe heals.
- Activities to avoid: Hold off on swimming in natural bodies of water or chlorinated pools until the toe is fully healed.
- Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers and keeping the foot elevated can help ease soreness in the first day or two.
What are the warning signs to watch for?
Call our office if you notice fever or chills, increased pain at the treatment site, pus drainage, a foul smell, or spreading redness — these are warning signs of infection that need prompt attention. Reaching out early lets us address any concerns before they become a bigger problem.
When should you have this procedure done?
If you have an ingrown toenail that is significantly painful, keeps coming back, or shows any signs of infection, it's time to have it evaluated rather than continuing to manage it at home. The sooner it's treated, the sooner the pain and pressure resolve. When you're ready, you can request an appointment at either of our Northern Utah offices.
Why choose Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute?
Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is a locally rooted podiatry practice serving Farmington, South Ogden, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians perform ingrown toenail procedures routinely and can typically treat a painful nail the same day it's evaluated — no separate referral needed.
We treat patients from both of our clinics; learn more about our Farmington and South Ogden locations or call the office nearest you.
Medically reviewed by the physicians at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrists provide foot and ankle care in Farmington and South Ogden, Utah. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.