# Phenol nail surgery > Phenol nail surgery (phenolic nail ablation) removes part or all of a problem toenail, then uses a chemical to stop it growing back. It's mainly used for ingrown toenails that haven't settled with simple care, and regrowth is uncommon. Healing takes several weeks. Guide in [Treatments](https://footanklelowerlimb.com.au/learn/topics/treatments), from Foot Ankle Lower Limb: https://footanklelowerlimb.com.au/learn/phenolic-nail-ablation Reviewed by Andrew Schox, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod (Podiatrist) on 27 October 2026. Next review by 27 October 2027. - **It's a nail surgery.** Part or all of a problem toenail is removed, then a chemical called phenol is applied to stop the treated nail growing back. - **It's mainly used for ingrown toenails** that haven't settled with simple care. - **Regrowth is uncommon, but healing takes weeks:** about 4–6 weeks if part of the nail is removed, and longer if the whole nail is. - **It isn't for everyone.** Phenol isn't suitable in pregnancy, and diabetes or poor circulation needs individual advice first. - **See your GP or a podiatrist the same day for signs of infection.** A sudden increase in pain, redness, swelling or smell after surgery needs same-day attention. ## What is phenol nail surgery? Phenol nail surgery (phenolic nail ablation, or phenol matricectomy) is a type of nail surgery. Your toe is numbed with a local anaesthetic, then part or all of the problem nail is removed. A chemical called phenol is then used to stop the nail regrowing [1]. Phenol is applied to the nail bed and to the matrix (the area under your skin where the nail grows from). It causes a burn that stops the treated nail growing back [2]. Before surgery, your podiatrist will talk with you about whether you want the nail removed permanently or left able to grow back [2]. ## What is it used for, and does it work? Its main use is the ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis), where the nail edge digs into the skin beside it. Mild ingrown nails can be helped with simple care, and surgery is kept for moderate to severe ones [3]. > [!tip] Try this > For a mild ingrown toenail, try soaking your foot in warm salty water. Leave the nail to grow out rather than cutting it, and don't pick at the toe or nail. For moderate to severe ingrown nails, phenol generally lowers the chance of the nail growing back compared with other approaches [4]. Adding phenol to nail removal also lowered regrowth compared with the same surgery without it, though that evidence is low quality [5]. Reported regrowth is low, at about 1 to 3% [6][7]. Treat that as a rough guide. Nail surgery is also described for deformed or curved nails that routine care can't fix [8]. In children, surgery including chemical matricectomy had better long-term results than taping or bracing, mainly in moderate to severe cases [9]. ## Is it right for me? It suits people with an acute ingrown toenail, or repeated infection from curved (involuted) nails, unless there are medical, psychological or social reasons not to have surgery [10]. Pregnancy is the clearest reason not to have it: phenol may harm an unborn baby [8]. Tell your podiatrist if you're pregnant, might be pregnant or are breastfeeding, and don't bring a pregnant person into the treatment room because of chemical fumes [8]. A previous allergic reaction to local anaesthetic means it can't be given again [10]. Diabetes, foot ulcers, poor circulation, bleeding disorders and blood thinners call for extra care and individual advice first [10]. With diabetes, that can include waiting until your blood glucose is better controlled [10]. ## What happens before, during and after? **Before.** Give your podiatrist your full medical history, medicines (especially blood thinners), allergies and any diabetes or circulation problems. Remove nail varnish, and bring suitable footwear because you'll go home with a large dressing [8]. **During.** Two local anaesthetic injections numb the base of your toe, and a small rubber ring (a tourniquet) is placed on it [8]. The nail, or part of it, is removed and phenol is applied for a set time. Then the ring is taken off and a pressure bandage is put on [1]. How long the phenol is applied varies, so it's fine to ask. **After.** Healing takes about 4–6 weeks if part of the nail is removed and 10–12 weeks if the whole nail is removed [8]. Smoking is linked with slower healing [11]. Ask for written aftercare instructions, and keep your podiatry team's contact number handy. ## What are the risks and side effects? Phenol can occasionally cause skin burning and blistering, which usually settles within a few days [1]. The toe can become infected and need a course of antibiotics from your GP [1]. Regrowth of the treated nail is possible but uncommon. An allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic or the phenol is rare, at fewer than 1 person in every 10,000 [12]. The signs of infection to watch for are listed in the last section. ## How does it compare with other options? For a mild ingrown toenail, simple care is the first step before any surgery [3]. If surgery is needed, regrowth after phenol was no different from regrowth after a different operation called aesthetic reconstruction [7]. It can help to ask your podiatrist why they recommend phenol for your toe, whether part or all of the nail is best removed, and what the chance of regrowth is. ## When to see a podiatrist See a podiatrist or your GP if an ingrown toenail is painful, swollen or isn't improving with home care. That's also the time to ask whether nail surgery suits you. Tell them if you're pregnant, might be pregnant, are breastfeeding, smoke or have diabetes. See your GP or a podiatrist the same day if you have a sudden increase in pain, spreading redness, heat, swelling or pus, redness tracking up the toe, foot or leg, a bad smell, increased leakage or bleeding, or flu-like symptoms, whether before or after surgery [2][12]. See your GP or a podiatrist the same day if you have diabetes and notice a wound, sore, blister or colour change on your foot. Don't wait for these signs to settle on their own. For urgent advice when it isn't an emergency, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours a day), or go to a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Call 000 and ask for an ambulance if you have a foot wound or infection and develop confusion or slurred speech, severe shivering or extreme muscle pain, passing little or no urine, severe breathlessness, or mottled or discoloured skin. These can be signs of sepsis, a rare but life-threatening emergency [8]. ## Common questions ### Will my toenail grow back after phenol? It can, but it isn't common. Phenol is used to stop the treated part of the nail growing back, and your podiatrist will discuss whether you want the nail removed permanently or left able to regrow. If part of the nail does come back, or the edge becomes painful again, see your podiatrist to talk through your options. ### Is phenol nail surgery painful? Your toe is numbed with a local anaesthetic injected at its base. It takes about 10–15 minutes to go numb, sometimes longer. The anaesthetic blocks pain, although you will still feel pressure and movement. Tell your podiatrist if you feel pain during the procedure. A pharmacist can advise on pain relief afterwards, such as paracetamol. ### Do I need antibiotics before or after nail surgery? Not always. In people without extra risks, phenol surgery can be done without antibiotics, and antibiotics or special dressings afterwards made no clear difference to infection, pain or healing. If your ingrown nail has been developing for a long time, or you have other health risks, your podiatrist or GP will decide what suits you. Don't start or stop any medicine without their advice. ## Further reading - [Phenol nail surgery on Clindice](https://clindice.com/phenolic-nail-ablation) - [Toe nail surgery in prison](https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/leaflet/toe-nail-surgery-in-prison/), NHS - [Toenail Surgery - Advice for Patients](https://www.esht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/0754.pdf), NHS - [Management of nail problems](https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/your-visit/patient-leaflets/surgery-services/management-of-nail-problems), NHS - [Nail Conditions - NHS Lanarkshire](https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/podiatry/nail-conditions/), NHS - [Royal Orthopaedic Hospital - Nail Surgery](https://roh.nhs.uk/services-information/foot-and-ankle/nail-surgery), NHS ## Sources 1. Nail Surgery · NHS. https://www.hct.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n595.pdf&ver=719 2. Nail Surgery · NHS Lanarkshire · 2022. https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/podiatry/nail-surgery/ 3. Chemical matricectomy with phenol for the treatment of ingrowing toenail: a review of the literature and follow-up of 172 treated patients · Bostanci S, Ekmekçi P, Gürgey E · Acta Dermato-Venereologica · 2001. https://doi.org/10.1080/000155501750376267 4. Efficacy and safety of phenol-based partial matricectomy in treatment of onychocryptosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis · Vinay K, Narayan Ravivarma V, Thakur V et al. · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17871 5. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials on surgical treatments for ingrown toenails part I: recurrence and relief of symptoms · Exley V, Jones K, O'Carroll G et al. · Journal of Foot and Ankle Research · 2023. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00631-1 6. The Recurrence of Onychocryptosis when Treated with Phenolization: Does Phenol Application Time Play a Role? A Follow-Up Study on 622 Procedures · Montesi S, Lazzarino AI, Galeone G et al. · Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2019. https://doi.org/10.1159/000498849 7. The Treatment of Ingrown Nail: Chemical Matricectomy With Phenol Versus Aesthetic Reconstruction. A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial · Muriel-Sánchez JM, Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo R, Montaño-Jiménez P et al. · Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9030845 8. Toe nail surgery in prison · Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust · 2024. https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/leaflet/toe-nail-surgery-in-prison/ 9. Pediatric Ingrown Toenails: A Practical Treatment Algorithm · Matter A, Di Chiacchio N, Di Chiacchio NG et al. · Dermatologic Surgery · 2026. https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000004949 10. Podiatry Services Nail Surgery Care Programme · NHS · 2018. https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/media/1903/podiatry-services-nail-surgery-care-programme-2017_1.pdf 11. Influence of smoking on wound healing in patients undergoing nail matrix phenolization: a prospective randomized clinical study · Álvarez-Jiménez J, Córdoba-Fernández A · Advances in Skin & Wound Care · 2014. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.asw.0000444612.93346.6c 12. Having surgery to remove a toenail · NHS. https://yourhealth.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/library/the-leicester-leicestershire-and-rutland-alliance/podiatry/1470-having-surgery-to-remove-a-toenail/file --- This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. For advice about your own feet or legs, see a podiatrist or your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.