Dressing

• After surgery, your toe will be wrapped in gauze before you go home. Your job will be to change the dressing every day so that you constantly have fresh gauze on the area. Old gauze can be a breeding ground for the bacteria that could cause infection. To change the gauze, wash your hands, then remove the old bandage and cut a new piece. Apply antibiotic cream to the part of the gauze that will be touching the wound. Secure the gauze carefully with medical tape to keep the wound sealed from dirt, germs and moisture.
  
  

Oral Medication

• While the operation was done on your toe, you may need oral medication to deal with pain and infection. After the surgery, avoid doing much activity on your feet for one week. This is to help your toe heal, but also because you may find everyday activities painful. To manage the pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your doctor may prescribe preventative antibiotics, as the toe and foot are susceptible to infection due to their proximity to dirt and germs on the ground.
  
  

Daily Cleansing

• Daily cleansing can keep infection at bay, and can also help relieve your pain. Remove your dressings and soak your foot in warm water for at least 20 minutes a day. This can be soothing, so you can do this as often as you need to. When you're done soaking your foot, carefully pat the area dry so as not to leave a moist breeding ground for germs. Slip into a natural-fiber sock, such as cotton, so that your foot can breathe while staying dry and comfortable.