Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of 88% phenol and 90% trichloroacetic acid as chemical cauterants in lateral nail matricectomy after partial nail avulsion for the management of ingrown toenails. Methods: This was a prospective randomized clinical study in which 50% of study participants were treated with 88% Phenol and the remaining 50% were treated with 90% TCA as chemical cauterant after partial nail avulsion. Postoperatively patients were followed for 48 hours, 1, 4, 12 weekly up to 3 months and 3 monthly upto one year. Efficacy was defined in term of pain, wound discharge, wound infection, healing and recurrence. Data was collected on self-designed Proforma. Results: A total of 50 patients of ingrown toenails were enrolled in the study. Average age of patients was 26.31±8.74 years. Severity of the pain was statistically insignificant among both groups, p-value 0.472. Wound infection was higher in 88% phenol group in contrast to 90% Trichloroacetic acid group, while statistically insignificant, p-value 0.306. Recurrence was only seen in 1 patient of 90% Trichloroacetic acid group.