If you are considering ingrown toenail surgery, you likely have been impacted by the stress an ingrown toenail surgery can bring. The good news is that after your surgery, you can look forward to living free of the ingrown that has been bothering you. However, after the surgery, you do need to take some steps to ensure the procedure’s success. Here’s what to expect while healing from an ingrown toenail surgery.

After ingrown toenail surgery, your doctor may bandage your toe and apply an antibiotic ointment. This usually happens if the doctor notices drainage from the incision. Change the bandage daily until the drainage stops, usually after about a week. You can bathe normally with the bandages. Immediately after the procedure, your toe will likely still be numb from the anesthetic the doctor will use on your toe. Once this fades, you may experience pain in your toe. This pain is usually manageable with over the counter medications, and shouldn’t last for too long after the procedure. 

Oral antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor to prevent an infection from interrupting healing. You should also avoid physical activity while your nail is healing to avoid aggravating your toe. Physical activity can usually be started a few days after the procedure, but it may take longer before it can be done comfortably. When returning to physical activity, and just in general after the procedure, make sure to wear comfortable shoes with wide toes. This prevents the shoe from putting pressure on the site of surgery.

While ingrown toenail surgery may seem like a big commitment, it is the best and most effective way to improve the condition of an ingrown. Once you get the surgery done, the relief of healing will follow soon after. To schedule a consultation with a licensed podiatrist, give us a call at (424)-299-4627 or visit our website for more information.