###Human: I have an ingrown toenail which is infected. What do I do? ###Assistant: Hello.I have seen your clinical picture and gone through your query (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I would strongly advise you to undergo a partial nail excision, debridement and daily dressing of the wound until it shows healthy granulation tissue. It is because unless you remove the offending portion of the nail, the wound will not settle down. I would rather call it a procedure rather than a surgery, which can be done with local anesthesia (ring block) and in OPD procedure room. Other than surgery, just the debridement and daily dressings can be tried, but once again I would like to tell you that unless the portion of the nail which is curved inside and impinging the skin is excised, this wound may not settle down. Also, a broad spectrum antibiotic will be required until the wound heals satisfactorily.