How painful is removing an ingrown toenail?

Author

Emma Newman

Published Mar 16, 2026

How painful is removing an ingrown toenail?

The entire ingrown toenail surgery is completely painless due to the effects of the anesthetic. By the time the anesthetic wears off, your pain level will be significantly reduced from where it was before the procedure. Downtime is extremely minimal for almost all patients.

Similarly, you may ask, how long does pain last after toenail removal?

This will prevent the nail from becoming ingrown in the future without significantly altering the appearance of the nail. The procedure takes less than 5 minutes once the toe is numb. Typical recoveries have limited to no discomfort and usually alleviate ingrown nail discomfort within 24 hours.

Furthermore, how long does it take to recover from an ingrown toenail surgery? Recovery normally takes between four to six weeks. Walking is possible immediately, and patients can return to work after 48 hours. Our advice is to wear open-toe shoes for seven days after the surgery to promote healing and comfort.

Likewise, how is an ingrown toenail removed?

Surgical removal of an ingrown nail involves removing a small portion of the side of the nail and destroying the nail bed beneath. The toe is injected with a numbing medicine, and the toenail is cut to create a new, straight nail edge.

Is it safe to remove an ingrown toenail at home?

“Bathroom Surgery” Significantly Increases Your Infection Risk. Removing an ingrown toenail is a simple, straightforward, and safe procedure … for a podiatrist who has been specially trained to perform it. Attempting to do so yourself, however, can be extremely dangerous.

How soon can I walk after toenail removal?

Everyone is different but on average it takes four to six weeks to heal if part of the nail is removed and 10 to 12 weeks if the whole nail is removed. During this time you will be able to walk and carry on your life as normal although you should avoid sporting activities or dancing.

Does getting toenail removed hurt?

Before it starts, your doctor numbs the area around your nail. If you've ever had your gums numbed at the dentist's, it's very similar. You'll be awake for the surgery, but you won't feel any pain.

How much does it cost to have a toenail removed?

The average surgical removal rates for an ingrown toenail ranges anywhere from $250 to $500. Callus: Calluses are also a pain to deal with on the foot, but these are simpler to remove and treat. For a podiatrist callus removal treatment, patients can expect an average cost of $90.

What helps with pain after toenail removal?

A person can help speed their recovery after ingrown toenail surgery by:

soaking the foot in warm water or Epsom salts every day.
taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to help with pain and swelling.
applying an antibiotic ointment twice daily or as often as a doctor recommends, if there is an infection.

Do toenails grow back if removed?

A broken or detached toenail is a common and often painful condition that many people experience in their lifetime. Detached toenails are usually safe to remove, and they will typically grow back within a year and a half. A detached toenail can result from an injury or infection.

How long will my toe ooze after nail removal?

Drainage typically lasts for about one week at which time dressings can be discontinued. Pain Management: If pain is noted over the counter anti-inflammatories or Tylenol suffice for pain control. After partial nail avulsion is performed pain typically improves compared to pre-procedure pain from ingrowing nail.

Can I go to the beach after ingrown toenail surgery?

You can go swimming 24 hours after having an ingrown toenail removed. Just remove the bandage from surgery soak/apply Amerigel and put on a small peice of gauze and a Band-aid. Then go swimming as usual, pools and lakes are just fine. You may want to wear water shoes for added protection.

Will removing toenail kill fungus?

Nail Removal Sometimes completely removing the toenail is seen as a treatment option for toenail fungus, says Sundling. There are two ways to do it: Permanently, so it never grows back (and then you won't have a toenail anymore), or you can let it grow back in.

What happens if you leave an ingrown toenail?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can cause an infection in the bone in your toe. A toenail infection can also lead to foot ulcers, or open sores, and a loss of blood flow to the infected area. Tissue decay and tissue death at the site of infection are possible.

Do they numb your toe before removing ingrown toenail?

For a more severe ingrown toenail (redness, pain and pus), your doctor may trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail. Before this procedure, your doctor may temporarily numb your toe by injecting it with an anesthetic. Removing the nail and tissue.

Should you cut an ingrown toenail?

The American Academy of Dermatology also recommend that people avoid digging out or clipping an already ingrown nail. Sometimes, an ingrown nail can break the skin. This makes it easier for bacteria and other microbes to enter the skin, potentially causing a painful infection.

What tool do you use for an ingrown toenail?

Cut the visible nail corner or the ingrown spur away to help relieve the pressure and pain. This may be easiest using precision toenail clippers, also sometimes called podiatrist grade clippers and toenail nippers.

How do you get rid of an ingrown toenail overnight?

Here's how:

Soak your feet in warm water. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes three to four times a day.
Place cotton or dental floss under your toenail. After each soaking, put fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge.
Apply antibiotic cream.
Choose sensible footwear.
Take pain relievers.

Can you wear socks after toenail removal?

You may want to wear open-toed shoes. If wearing closed shoes, make sure they are not too tight. Wear cotton socks. You may need to do this for about 2 weeks.

Can you drive after ingrown toenail removal?

Driving after ingrown toenail surgery is highly risky and should be avoided. Anesthetic isn't going to wear out immediately after the procedure and this can hinder your driving ability. In the first couple of days, you should restrict unnecessary physical activity as much as possible.

When should you go to the doctor for an ingrown toenail?

Call your doctor if your toe is red, warm, swollen, or drains pus, or if there are red streaks leading from your toe. Your doctor might give you antibiotics. If your toenail is very ingrown, your doctor might suggest minor surgery to remove all or part of the ingrown nail. He or she may refer you to a podiatrist.

What does a podiatrist do for an ingrown toenail?

A podiatrist will remove the ingrown portion of the nail and may prescribe a topical or oral medication to treat the infection. If ingrown nails are a chronic problem, your podiatrist can perform a procedure to permanently prevent ingrown nails.

What does a ingrown toenail look like?

What Does an Ingrown Toenail Look Like? Ingrown toenails cause redness and swelling around the affected toe area. The site may be painful to the touch. An infection may develop if the condition progresses, and the area may ooze pus.

Does hydrogen peroxide help ingrown toenails?

For mild cases of ingrown toenails, you can trim the nail. Start by soaking your foot in warm water and Epsom salt for about 10 minutes to soften the nail and skin fold. Then use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the area with a cotton ball. Also clean the nail nipper with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

How do I put cotton on my ingrown toenail?

Wedge a small piece of wet cotton, such as part of a cotton ball, under the corner of your ingrown nail. This will help lift the nail off of the skin. Soak your toe and change the piece of cotton each day until the nail grows out and can be trimmed.

Why does my big toenail hurt so bad?

The most common cause of toenail pain is an ingrown toenail, a fungal infected toenail, or a trauma-related injury to the toenail which can also cause blood under the nail. Read below for more information on additional causes and how to treat a painful toenail.

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