Isla Bennett
Ingrown toenail removal is a common procedure, often affecting the big toe. It involves cutting and removing part or the entirety of a toenail that has grown into the skin. After the procedure, it is important to keep the wound clean and protected to prevent infection and speed up healing. This can be done by using a bandage or gauze to cover the toe, which should be changed daily or every 24-48 hours. The bandage should be kept on for 5-7 days or until the wound has fully healed, ensuring that the wound site is cleaned and dried before applying a new dressing.
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What You'll Learn
Bandaging techniques
Initial Bandaging:
- After the nail removal procedure, your healthcare provider will likely cover the wound with an initial bandage. Leave this bandage in place until the next day. Some bleeding is normal, but if there is excessive bleeding, you may need to change the dressing.
- For the first few days, use gauze to cover the toe instead of a bandaid. This allows the toe to breathe and facilitates drainage.
- Keep the toe covered with gauze at all times for the first 3-4 days. Ensure that the dressing stays clean and dry during this period.
Changing the Dressing:
- After the initial bandage has been applied for 24-48 hours, it's time to change the dressing. Carefully remove the tape at the base of the toe and gently ease off the dressing from the bottom to the top of the toe.
- If the dressing is difficult to remove, soak it in warm, salty water to soften it and minimize trauma to the wound. Then, dry your foot with a clean towel, avoiding the wound area.
- With clean hands, open a sterile dry dressing (e.g., Melolin/Podlin). Place the dressing, shiny side down, onto the wound.
- Gather a length of tube gauze and place it over the dry dressing, pulling it down to the base of the toe to secure the dressing in place.
Waterproof Bandaging:
- When showering, cover the toe with a waterproof bandage or plastic wrap, especially during the first few days after bandaging.
- Avoid soaking the toe in water until the wound is closed and starting to heal, which typically takes 1-2 weeks. Soaking too early can slow healing and increase the risk of infection.
When to Stop Bandaging:
- For mild cases, continue to change the dressing daily and keep the area clean and dry for 5-7 days. Full healing may take about 2-3 weeks.
- You can stop bandaging when the wound starts to close and scab. At night, leave the toe uncovered and open to air to promote breathing and healing.
Remember to always follow your healthcare provider's instructions and advice regarding bandaging and wound care.
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How to change the dressing
After nail removal surgery, it is important to keep the wound clean and protected to prevent infection and aid healing. The bandage should be left in place for the first 24-48 hours. During this time, you can expect to see some bleeding, which is normal. If there is excessive bleeding, you may need to change the dressing earlier.
After the initial period, the dressing should be changed daily until the wound is fully healed. To change the dressing:
- Carefully peel off the tape at the base of the toe.
- Gently ease the dressing off from the bottom to the top of the toe. If it is stuck, soak the dressing in warm, salty water to soften it and minimise trauma to the wound.
- Soak your foot in a basin of warm, salty water for around 5 minutes.
- Dry your foot with a clean towel, being careful to avoid the wound site.
- With clean hands, open a packet of sterile, dry dressing (e.g. Melolin/Podlin).
- Place the new dressing, shiny side down, onto the wound.
- Gather a length of tube gauze and place it over the dry dressing, pulling it down to the base of the toe to secure the dressing in place.
It is recommended to keep the toe covered for the first 3-4 days, and then you can switch to a Band-Aid. At night, leave the toe uncovered to allow it to breathe. Make sure to keep the wound area clean and open, especially if the whole toenail was removed. You can wash the toe with warm water and soap, and use a Q-tip to clean the area gently.
For the first 1-2 weeks, avoid soaking the toe in water or wearing closed-toe shoes to prevent irritation and increase the chance of infection. Mild cases usually heal within this time frame, but more complex cases may take up to 2-3 weeks for full healing.
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How long to keep the bandage on
The bandage on your toe after a nail removal should be left in place until the next day. You can expect to see some bleeding, which is normal. If there is excessive bleeding, you can carefully change the dressing. It is recommended to keep your foot elevated for the next four hours.
For the first few days, use gauze to cover the toe, allowing it to breathe and facilitating drainage. You should keep it covered at all times for the first 3-4 days. After this initial period, you can switch to a Band-Aid during the day and leave the toe uncovered at night to promote airflow and healing.
The time it takes for the wound to heal and how long you should keep the bandage on depends on the severity of the procedure. For mild cases, keep the bandage on for 24-48 hours, and then change the dressing daily for 5-7 days or until the wound is closed and scabbed. The full healing process for mild cases can take around 1-2 weeks.
For more complex cases, follow your doctor's advice, and it is recommended to keep the bandage on for up to a week, changing it daily. Make sure to keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infections.
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Preventing infection
For the first few days, use gauze to cover the toe instead of a Band-Aid. This allows the toe to breathe and facilitates the healing process. Keep the toe covered at all times for the first three to four days with gauze. After this initial period, you can switch to a Band-Aid during the day, but it is recommended to leave the toe uncovered and open to the air at night to promote breathability. Ensure that you have a follow-up appointment with your doctor two weeks after the procedure to check for proper healing and ensure there is no nail regrowth.
The bandaging is essential to prevent infections and reduce pain. It keeps the area clean, reducing the risk of infection by preventing dirt and bacteria from entering the wound. The bandage also protects the toe from rubbing against shoes or socks, reducing discomfort and irritation. Additionally, it cushions the toe, helping it heal faster by avoiding pressure or friction.
To change the dressing, carefully peel off the tape at the base of the toe and gently remove the old dressing from the bottom to the top of the toe. If the dressing does not come off easily, soak it in warm, salty water to soften it and minimise trauma to the wound. After removing the old dressing, soak your foot in warm, salty water for around five minutes. Then, dry your foot with a clean towel, being careful to avoid the wound site. With clean hands, open a sterile, dry dressing and place it, shiny side down, onto the wound. Gather a length of tube gauze onto an applicator and place it over the dry dressing, pulling the tube gauze down to the base of the toe to secure the dressing in place over the wound.
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Aftercare and healing
Bandaging and Dressing:
- Keep the initial bandage on for at least 24 hours, and expect to see some bleeding during this time, which is normal.
- Change the dressing daily for about 5-7 days, or until the wound has healed. For more complex cases, follow your doctor's advice, which may include keeping the bandage on for up to a week.
- Use gauze to cover the toe for the first few days, allowing the wound to breathe and drain. Once the drainage decreases, you can switch to a Band-Aid.
- Ensure the wound area remains clean and dry. Wash your hands before handling the wound or changing the dressing.
- When changing the dressing, gently remove the old one by peeling it off from the bottom to the top of the toe. If it's stuck, soak it in warm, salty water to soften and minimise trauma to the wound.
- After removing the old dressing, soak your foot in warm, salty water for about 5 minutes. Then, dry your foot with a clean towel, avoiding the wound.
- Place a new, sterile dressing, shiny side down, onto the wound. Secure it with tubegauze, ensuring the dressing stays in place.
Foot Care:
- Keep your foot elevated for the first 4 hours after the procedure to reduce bleeding and swelling.
- Avoid soaking your foot in water until the wound closes and begins to heal, which typically takes 1-2 weeks. Soaking too early can slow healing and increase the risk of infection.
- When showering, cover the toe with a waterproof bandage or plastic wrap to keep it dry.
- For the first 2-3 days, wear soft, open-toe shoes or sandals that don't put pressure on the toe. Avoid closed-toe shoes for 1-2 weeks to prevent irritation and slow healing.
Medication and Follow-up:
- Take the pain reliever recommended by your doctor or provider to manage pain once the anaesthesia wears off.
- If there are concerns about possible infection, especially in patients with diabetes, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor about two weeks after the procedure to ensure proper healing and check for any nail regrowth.
Remember to always follow the specific instructions provided by your doctor or healthcare provider, as they may give you personalised advice based on your unique situation.
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Frequently asked questions
You should keep the bandage on for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure. Change the dressing daily until the wound heals.
Change the dressing 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. Repeat this process until the toe has fully healed and there is no visible discharge on the dressings.
For the first few days, use gauze to cover the toe, as it allows the wound to breathe. Once the drainage is minimal, you can switch to a Band-Aid.
It is normal to see some bleeding after the procedure. However, if there is excessive bleeding, change the dressing and keep your foot elevated for the next four hours.
You can shower after the first day, but keep your toe dry by covering it with a waterproof bandage or plastic wrap. Avoid soaking your toe until the wound closes and begins to heal, which usually takes 1-2 weeks.
Note: Always follow the specific instructions provided by your doctor for the best aftercare.
