Where Was My Procedure?
Procedure Location
Tanner Clinic — same office as your consultation
Suture removal and follow-up visits are also at Tanner Clinic.
What Was Done
Nail surgery is performed to treat a variety of nail conditions. Dr. Innes will have explained which procedure was performed at your appointment.
Ingrown Toenail (Partial Nail Avulsion)
The ingrown edge is removed. Phenol is applied to the nail matrix to permanently prevent that portion from regrowing.
Total Nail Avulsion
The entire nail plate is removed. A new nail will regrow over several months unless the matrix is destroyed.
Nail Biopsy
A small sample of nail or nail bed tissue was taken and sent to a lab for diagnosis.
Nail Bed / Matrix Procedure
Treatment of a lesion, cyst, or other finding beneath or around the nail.
First 24 Hours
Keep the Bandage On
- Leave the original bandage on for 24 hours
- Do not remove it early to check the wound
Elevate the Hand or Foot
- Keep the treated hand or foot elevated as much as possible for the full 24 hours — elevation keeps blood from pooling at the nail site and significantly reduces both bleeding and throbbing pain
- When sitting, prop your foot up on a pillow or ottoman
- When lying down, raise it above the level of your heart if possible
- Avoid prolonged standing or walking during the first 24 hours
Pain Management
- The local anesthetic will wear off over the next 1–2 hours — take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before it wears off if possible. Staying ahead of the pain is much easier than catching up to it.
- Throbbing pain that worsens when the foot is down and improves when elevated is normal and expected
Daily Wound Care — Starting Day 2
Once you remove the bandage after 24 hours, begin this routine once daily and continue until the wound is fully healed:
1
Vinegar Soak
Mix the solution below. Soak a cotton ball and hold it directly on the nail area for 1 minute.
2
Apply Antibiotic Ointment
Apply a generous amount of Neosporin (OTC) or Mupirocin (prescription, if provided) directly over the nail area.
3
Cover with a Fresh Bandage
A standard adhesive bandage works well for toes and fingers.
🧪 Vinegar Soak — Mix Once Per Session
4 partswater
Plain water (tap is fine)
1 partvinegar
Distilled white vinegar
Mix in a small bowl. Soak a cotton ball and hold directly on the nail area for 1 minute. The mild acidity discourages bacterial overgrowth and keeps the nail fold clean — especially important after phenol procedures where the nail groove is an open wound.
How Long to Continue
Continue this routine daily until the wound is fully healed — the nail fold is closed, no longer raw or weeping, and covered with intact skin. This typically takes 4–8 weeks depending on the procedure and location.
What to Expect During Healing
Week 1
The nail area will look raw, red, and may have some weeping or crusting. This is normal. Keep it clean and moist with ointment.
Weeks 2–4
The wound gradually fills in from the edges. Tissue will look pink and healthy. Continue daily care.
Weeks 4–8+
Skin fully closes over the treated area. For partial nail avulsions with phenol, the groove closes with a slightly narrower nail.
Nail Regrowth
If the nail was removed but the matrix was not destroyed, a new nail will regrow — 3–6 months for fingernails, 6–12 months for toenails.
Things You May Notice
✓ Normal — Expected
- Throbbing pain in the first 24–48 hours, especially when the foot is down — elevation helps significantly
- Some bleeding or oozing through the original bandage in the first 24 hours — apply firm pressure for 10–15 minutes if this occurs
- A yellowish or clear discharge in the first 1–2 weeks — normal wound fluid, not infection
- Mild redness directly around the nail area for several weeks
- The nail area looking raw and open for several weeks — expected and part of normal healing
! Contact Us If You Notice
- Bleeding that does not stop with 15 minutes of firm pressure
- Increasing redness spreading beyond the immediate nail area — especially red streaking up the toe or finger
- Increasing pain after the first 3 days rather than gradually improving
- Thick yellow or green pus with a foul odor
- Fever over 100.4°F
- Any concern that doesn't feel right — when in doubt, text us
When to Contact Us
💬 Routine Questions & Scheduling
Text 801-776-7129 during business hours.
⚠ After Hours or on Weekends
Text or call Dr. Innes directly: 801-414-8443