Hello, Your description of current symptoms sounds more towards possible paronychia in addition to your current ingrown toenail. Paronychia is basically a nail infection where the nail and skin meet at the side or the base of a finger or toenail. Depending on the degree of symptoms, conservative treatment, such as warm-water mixed with Epsom salt soaks three to four times a day, may be effective early in the course if an abscess has not formed. However, if redness, swelling or tenderness get worse, then you may need topical and or oral antibiotic treatment to cover bacterial infection. It is hard to say your current symptoms are normal healing process without looking at it, but if you do have red skin growing over the side of the nail. I suggest you follow up at local urgent care for the further assessment and get appropriate treatment if needed, because it may be an abscess or soft tissue infection. In the meantime, I advise not to pop or pick on the affected skin as it may make symptoms worse. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Katie Lee, General & Family Physician