Ingrown Toenail Treatment

Early ingrown toenail treatment includes soaking your foot in warm water several times each day for 15-20 minutes. Dry your foot and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and a clean dressing. Do not cut your nail. For the next few days, wear open-toed or loose-fitting shoes. When the nail grows out, cut it straight across. (This also applies for ingrown fingernail)

The most common ingrown toenail treatment is to remove a portion of the nail on its side where the problem lies. This is called partial nail plate avulsion. The worst case scenario is when the complete nail is curved and will need to be completely removed, which is referred to as complete nail plate avulsion. 

A tetanus immunization will be given at first if it has been longer than five years since your last one. Because there is an open wound with an ingrown toenail, there is always a chance of tetanus. 

The doctor will inject medication to numb the toe. Then, your toenail will be cut along the edge and the piece of nail will be pulled out.  If the whole nail is removed, the doctor may destroy some of the cells that make the nail grow back by applying a small electrical charge or a chemical to the skin under the nail. 

The physician may also decide to surgically remove part of the nail bed referred to as ablation,  This is done so that the edge of the nail that caused the problem will not return. It may take 3-4 months for your nail to re-grow. After these surgical procedures, antibiotics and daily bandage changing may be necessary especially if there is a problem with wound healing or if the circulation is poor or if you have diabetes.