Do I Need An Antibiotic For An Ingrown Toenail?

Are you dealing with the pesky pain of an ingrown toenail and wondering if antibiotics are necessary? At my small practice, Direct Podiatry Arizona, I frequently treat ingrown toenails, and here's my professional take based on years of experience.

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails happen when a corner of your toenail digs into your skin. This can cause pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes even drainage. In severe cases, you might notice streaks on your foot leading up to your ankle, signaling a deeper infection.

Do You Need Antibiotics for an Ingrown Toenail?

The short answer? Usually not. Most ingrown toenails don't require antibiotics. Why? Because once we remove the part of the nail that’s causing the problem, the infection often goes away on its own. In my practice, 90% of cases improve simply by addressing the ingrowing nail through ingrown toenail removal.

When Are Antibiotics for an Ingrown Toenail Necessary?

There are exceptions. If there are red streaks on your foot, a sign of a more serious infection called lymphangitis, I will prescribe antibiotics. Also, if an infection does not get better, even after we’ve treated the toenail, antibiotics may be required to fully heal.

Urgent Care vs. Podiatrist for Ingrown Toenail

If you visit an urgent care center, they may give you antibiotics to temporarily manage symptoms of your ingrown toenail, especially if they're unable or uncomfortable performing ingrown toenail removal surgery, or just don't have the tools to perform this procedure. While this can help, the issue won’t go away without addressing the root cause—literally, the nail itself. Following up with a podiatrist ensures a permanent fix.

A Word on Antibiotic Resistance

Prescribing antibiotics when they're not necessary contributes to antibiotic resistance, a significant global health concern. We aim to use antibiotics wisely and only when they are truly needed.

This is a big reason why, more often than not, I personally don't feel the need to prescribe antibiotics for an ingrown toenail, except in the case of serious infection. Because if the removal of the ingrown nail has to be performed, and this more often than not will allow your body to fight this infection and heal, then the use of an antibiotic is needed a lot less.

Schedule Your Appointment at Direct Podiatry Arizona Today!

If you’re in Phoenix and struggling with an ingrown toenail, antibiotics alone usually aren’t enough. At Direct Podiatry AZ, I offer in-office procedures that bring real relief. Book your appointment today.