Why Does My Toe Still Hurt After Removing Ingrown Toenail?

It’s normal to feel some toe pain after ingrown toenail removal, but foot and ankle specialists say that there are reasons why your toe hurts after removing ingrown toenail. Let’s see:

Healing Inflammation

Mild pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness are common while your toe heals. A small amount of clear, pale yellow, or slightly bloody drainage may also occur after the ingrown toenail removal procedure.  However, thick pus, a bad smell, or drainage that keeps increasing may be a sign of infection. Contact your doctor if you notice these changes or if the pain and swelling get worse.

Infection

If the toe isn’t properly cared for after the procedure, it can get infected. Infection can cause increased pain, redness, and even pus. If your toe still hurts after removing ingrown toenail (sharp pain) or doesn’t seem to get better, an infection could be the reason.

Nail Regrowth

A small piece of nail, called a nail spicule, may remain after the procedure. This sharp edge can keep pressing into the skin and cause pain soon after toenail removal. True nail regrowth happens later, and an ingrown toenail may grow back when a new section of nail grows from the root and enters the skin again.

A podiatrist can check the toe and remove or treat the problem nail if needed. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an ingrown toenail grow back over several months, and treatment of the nail root can help prevent repeated ingrown nails. 

Surgical Trauma

Sometimes, during the procedure to remove the ingrown toenail, the area around it is disturbed. This can lead to some trauma to the surrounding skin or tissue. It results in pain as the area heals.

Improper Healing

In some cases, the toe may not heal as it should, which can cause prolonged pain after ingrown toenail removal. This can happen if the toenail wasn’t completely removed or if you don’t follow aftercare instructions carefully.

Health Conditions

Foot doctors say that conditions like diabetes or poor blood circulation can slow down the ingrown toenail removal recovery. When your body is having trouble healing, pain can last longer, and you may experience more discomfort in your toe.

Diabetes can also cause other foot symptoms, such as itchy feet, which may require proper evaluation and care. Learn more about diabetic itching feet and when it may be a sign of an underlying foot problem. 

Tight Shoes or Pressure

Wearing shoes that are too tight after the procedure can put pressure on the healing area. This can irritate the toe, cause pain, and make it feel worse.

How Long Does Your Toe Hurt After Ingrown Toenail Removal?

Pain usually starts to ease within a few days, but ingrown toenail removal recovery time depends on the procedure. As the NHS explains, a podiatrist may remove part or all of the nail based on how serious the problem is.

• Partial nail avulsion removes only the ingrown edge, so the toe may feel better within a few days.
• Complete nail removal removes the entire toenail and leaves a larger wound, so soreness may last longer.
• Matrixectomy removes the problem part of the nail and treats the root to prevent regrowth. Pain may improve within a few days, but some tenderness and fluid can continue during recovery.

Your pain after cutting ingrown toenail should improve over time. Contact your podiatrist if it gets worse, returns after it improves, or lasts longer than expected.

Pain After Removing an Ingrown Toenail at Home

Your toe hurts after removing ingrown toenail at home because you may tear the skin or leave a small piece of nail behind. According to the NHS, you should not cut or pick at an ingrown toenail. 

If your toe still hurts, do not dig under the nail or pull at it! These actions can cause more damage and raise the risk of infection.

Wash the toe gently and dry it well. How long to keep a bandage on after ingrown toenail removal depends on the wound and your doctor’s advice. Replace the bandage each day or whenever it gets wet or dirty. Wear wide shoes that do not press on the toe.

Contact a doctor if the bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure or if you develop a swollen toe after ingrown toenail removal with worsening pain or redness. Also seek care if you notice pus, a bad smell, or more fluid from the wound. 

If you have diabetes, poor blood flow, or nerve damage, contact a doctor instead of treating the nail at home.

Relieve the Pain If Your Toe Hurts After Ingrown Toenail Removal

If your toe hurts after removing ingrown toenail, you might be wondering what you can do to ease the pain. Luckily, there are several ways to help reduce discomfort and support the healing process:

• Wash gently with soap and water, dry it thoroughly, and avoid soaking to prevent infection.
• Use ice only as directed by your podiatrist. Always wrap it in a cloth.
• Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed for pain relief.
• Keep your foot lifted and elevated above heart level to reduce swelling, especially in the first few days.
• Choose comfortable shoes that have a wide toe box or soft cushioning to avoid pressure on the toe.
• Contact your foot doctor if the pain persists or if you notice signs of infection.

When to Contact Your Podiatrist