From the Research
Proper post-operative care after toenail removal involves keeping the toe clean, dry, and protected, with a focus on preventing infection and promoting healing, as highlighted in a case report on surgical site infection leading to gangrene and amputation after ambulatory surgical care of an ingrown toenail 1. To achieve this, for the first 24-48 hours, maintain the original bandage and elevate the foot to reduce swelling and pain. After this period, gently clean the area daily with mild soap and warm water, then apply an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Neosporin and cover with a fresh bandage. Some key points to consider in post-operative care include:
- Continue the cleaning and bandaging routine for 1-2 weeks until the wound heals.
- Take prescribed pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed, typically 400-600mg of ibuprofen every 6-8 hours or 500-1000mg of acetaminophen every 4-6 hours for pain.
- Avoid strenuous activities and wear open-toed shoes or shoes with a wide toe box to prevent pressure on the healing toe.
- Watch for signs of infection including increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or fever, and contact your healthcare provider if these occur. Complete healing typically takes 2-4 weeks, during which the nail bed forms protective tissue. If phenol was used during the procedure to prevent regrowth, expect some drainage for up to two weeks, which is normal as the chemical continues to work on the nail matrix, although the provided evidence does not directly address the use of phenol in this context, management strategies for ingrown toenails and onychomycosis can inform best practices 2, 3, 4, 5.