020 7916 0029 Call Patient portal Portal Register as a new patient Register Doctors portal Book Now Book Now

Not an emergency service. If you or someone else is seriously unwell — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or collapse — call 999. For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Ingrown toenail surgery

Partial or total nail removal under local anaesthetic, with or without chemical treatment of the nail bed.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. If anything here differs from what your clinician has told you, follow your clinician’s advice and contact the hospital if you are unsure.

Overview

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail edge grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling and sometimes infection.

Surgery removes the offending nail edge. Where the problem recurs, the nail-forming tissue at that edge may be treated chemically so the edge does not grow back.

The procedure takes around 15 minutes. Healing takes 2 to 6 weeks, longer if chemical treatment was used.

Before your procedure

  • Tell the team if you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation in the feet. This affects how the toe is managed afterwards.
  • Tell the team about anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless instructed.
  • Bring loose, open footwear such as a sandal or a wide shoe to wear home. Your toe will be bulky with dressing.
  • Arrange not to drive yourself home. A freshly anaesthetised toe makes safe braking unreliable.
  • Eat and drink normally.

What happens on the day

  1. The toe is cleaned and local anaesthetic is injected at the base of the toe. This is the most uncomfortable part and lasts a few seconds.
  2. Once numb, the offending nail edge is removed. If agreed, the nail-forming tissue at that edge is treated so it does not regrow.
  3. A bulky dressing is applied and you will be asked to keep the foot elevated briefly before leaving.
  4. You walk out in the open footwear you brought. Expect the toe to feel numb for several hours.

Aftercare

Pain

The toe usually throbs once the anaesthetic wears off, typically that evening. Simple over-the-counter pain relief per the packet, taken before the anaesthetic wears off, helps.

Elevation

Keep the foot elevated as much as possible for the first 24 to 48 hours. This makes a substantial difference to pain and swelling.

First dressing

Leave the original dressing intact and dry for the period you are told, usually 24 to 48 hours.

Salt-water soaks

Once told to start, soaking the toe in warm salty water and redressing daily is the usual routine. Follow the specific instructions you are given.

Bathing

Keep the dressing dry. Cover the foot for showering until you are told soaking is appropriate.

Footwear

Wear open or wide footwear for 1 to 2 weeks. Tight shoes are the commonest cause of prolonged pain.

Walking and exercise

Walk as needed but avoid running, sport and prolonged standing for around 2 weeks.

Driving

Do not drive until you can brake sharply without pain or hesitation, and are not wearing bulky dressings on the driving foot.

Work

Desk work is usually possible within a day or two with the foot elevated. Standing or manual work may need 1 to 2 weeks.

Follow-up

A review is usually arranged to check healing. Discharge from the nail fold for a few weeks is expected after chemical treatment.

Typical recovery timeline

Timings are typical and vary between individuals.
WhenWhat to expect
First 24 hoursAnaesthetic wears off and the toe throbs. Elevate and take simple pain relief.
Days 2 to 3First dressing change. Discomfort settles noticeably.
Week 1Daily soaking and redressing. Walking comfortable in open shoes.
Weeks 2 to 4Nail fold heals. Discharge reduces. Normal footwear becomes comfortable.
Weeks 4 to 12Healing completes. If chemical treatment was used, the nail edge does not regrow.

Red flags — when to seek help

These lists are not exhaustive. Trust your judgement and seek advice if you are worried.

Emergency Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department

  • Spreading redness up the foot or leg
  • Severe pain not relieved by simple pain relief, or pain that is worsening after day 3
  • Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature, shivering or confusion
  • The toe becoming pale, blue, cold or numb

Contact us Contact the hospital, or call NHS 111 out of hours

  • Increasing swelling, heat or throbbing after 48 hours
  • Pus or offensive discharge beyond what you were told to expect
  • Bleeding that soaks through the dressing
  • Any wound concern if you have diabetes or poor circulation, however minor

Tower Bridge Hospital, 97–99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. Telephone 020 7916 0029. If in doubt and the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

Will the nail look normal afterwards?

If only the edge was removed, the nail will look narrower. If the edge was chemically treated, it stays narrower permanently.

Why is there still discharge after two weeks?

Some discharge for several weeks is expected after chemical treatment. It should be reducing, not increasing.

Can it come back?

Recurrence is much less likely after chemical treatment of the nail edge, but not impossible.

When can I wear normal shoes?

Usually 1 to 2 weeks, and sooner for wide, soft footwear. Do not force a tight shoe.

More information

Clinical reviewer
Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date
21 July 2026
Review by
21 July 2027
Version
1.0
Book Now