Antibiotics are mainly used for patients who have an infection on their body. These types of drugs targets and stops the growth of microorganisms that are causing the infection. However, it cannot treat infections caused by a virus, only bacteria. They are also used to prevent infection before they begin. 

An ingrown toenail infection may occur from poor care, or from the bacteria found in your feet’s environment such as shoes, or a public shower. Infection may occur when bacteria gets under the nail caused by the ingrown nail. Generally, signs of infection are obvious. Ingrown toenails may be in the form of cellulitis, which is inflammation of the tissue.  Infections caused by an ingrown toenail displays symptoms that are listed in one of our previous blogs here. 

Antibiotics work by interfering with the biological formation of the bacterial cell wall and/or the contents made for the inside of the cell. A bacteriostatic, which is an agent included in antibiotics, inhibits the bacteria from multiplying. However, it doesn’t necessarily kill the bacteria itself- just the source of the problem.

For ingrown toenail surgery, you may be given antibiotics before surgery which has been proven to reduce chances for infection. Matricectomy – surgery that removes a part of the nail to get rid of ingrown, might result in inflammation or infection. An antibiotic may be needed on the inflamed area. Antibiotics for other surgeries, however, are not usually administered in surgery on the skin around the nail since risk of infection is deemed lower than surgery of the actual nail.