Heronwood Foot and Ankle Call

Ingrown toenail treatment in Port St. Lucie

A toenail that grows into the skin can make a short walk painful. Most ingrown nails can be treated in the office in one short visit.

A man ties the laces of a brown leather shoe

Signs of an ingrown toenail

Shoes lined up on closet shelves

Pain, redness and swelling along the side of the nail, most often on the big toe. If it is infected you may see pus or feel heat, and the toe may throb.

Treatment in the office

A clean treatment room with a padded chair under soft daylight

After numbing the toe with a local anesthetic, the doctor removes the narrow edge of nail that grows into the skin. Most patients walk out of the office the same day. The doctor will tell you when you can go back to work and sports.

If the same side keeps growing in, the doctor can treat the nail root on that edge so it stops growing there. We talk this through with you first.

What not to do at home

A basin of warm water and a folded towel on a bathroom floor

Please do not dig the corner out with scissors or clippers. It can push the problem deeper and make an infection more likely. Soak the foot in warm water and call us.

If you have diabetes or poor circulation, skip home treatment and call us the same day.

Questions about ingrown toenails

Does the procedure hurt?

The numbing injection stings for a few seconds. After that the toe should be numb. Tell the doctor right away if you feel pain.

I have diabetes. Should I wait and see?

No. With diabetes, a sore or infected toe deserves a prompt look. Call us the same day.

Can my child be seen for an ingrown toenail?

Yes. We see children and teenagers, and a parent stays in the room.

Reviewed by Dr. Rosalind Quenneville, DPM, October 7, 2026