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Day Surgery Unit

Advice for patients after removal of ingrowing toenail

Patient Information Leaflet

 

Introduction

This leaflet is for patients who have had an ingrowing toenail removed. It gives advice on what you should do when you get home, and contact information for if you have any problems relating to your procedure.

 

Advice

  1. You will need to arrange for a responsible, able-bodied adult to collect you from hospital. If they cannot drive you home, you will need to make your own taxi arrangements. It is not a good idea for you to travel on public transport.
  2. On the day of your procedure, you should keep your leg raised on a chair. This will help to relieve discomfort and prevent bleeding. Do not walk or stand too much.
  3. You will have a dressing over your toe which will be rather bulky and may have some blood-staining on it. You should keep this dressing clean and dry.
  4. If you have any bleeding, do not worry. Sit down and raise your leg on a chair. Apply gentle pressure around the toe for five minutes until the bleeding stops. Do not take the dressing off. If the bleeding does not stop after five minutes, please contact one of the helpline numbers for advice.
  5. The area will remain numb from the local anaesthetic for about two to three hours. After this, take painkillers such as paracetamol (always read the label; do not exceed the recommended dose). Try to avoid aspirin. You may experience pain for about three to five days after the procedure.
  6. Even though your toe will be painful, you should make sure you walk correctly from the day after your operation. We will give you advice about his. Wear comfortable, light socks and footwear such as slippers or sandals.  Avoid tight-fitting footwear.
  7. The nail bed on your toe will look unhealthy and untidy at first. Do not worry about this. It will look OK when it heals.
  8. If you have any stitches, you will either be given an appointment for removal of these at the hospital or asked to visit your GP.

 

Helpline numbers

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please speak to a member of staff or contact:

Russells Hall Hospital Day Surgery Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1886 (7.30am to 8pm, Monday to Friday) or

Pre-operative Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1849 (7am to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday)

Out of these hours, urgent queries: contact Surgical Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 3359.

Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number: 01384 456111

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

 

Originator: T.Trevis/A.Larkin Date reviewed: January 2026 Next review due: January 2029  Version: 5 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/00637