Not always. An ingrown toenail can occur from several causes including poorly fitting shoes and improper grooming of the toenails. Correcting the underlying cause is the first step. If a spicule (a slender pointed outgrowth) of the toenail grows into the flesh at the side nail folds, it can act like a foreign body and fester. If the toe is painful and oozing, it could be infected and an oral antibiotic is necessary. Often a conservative approach is successful and surgery can be avoided. Soaking in warm water several times a day can also be helpful. When all else fails, surgery to correct the problem is needed. A portion of the toenail is removed and often the root of the nail that forms that part of the nail is permanently destroyed. This procedure results in a nail that is narrower. Sometimes if both sides of the nail become ingrown continuously, the entire nail is removed. — Phoebe Rich, M.D.
Click here to read A Doctor's Notes on Ingrown Toenail Surgery for a more complete look at this remedy for a chronic condition.