Ingrown Nails
The nail plate of a typical nail extends past the tip of the toe. In contrast, an ingrown toenail grows downward and the nail's fold or frame digs into the toe's soft tissue around it.
A small portion of the side of the nail and the nail bed beneath must be removed surgically in order to remove an ingrown nail. An anesthetic is injected into the toe, then the toenail is cut to form a new, straight nail edge. The cells beneath the nail must be eliminated in order to permanently thin it because they will try to grow a new nail. The tissue on the side of the toe that has piled up (hypertrophied) must be removed. Once fully healed (after a few weeks), the toe is then bandaged.
On the day of the procedure, you should keep your foot elevated for a few hours and rest; the following day, you can go back to work or school. After surgery, you should wait two weeks before engaging in any strenuous activity.