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Infected Ingrown Toenail

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Posted 10/14/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm new to the forum.

A few days ago I noticed I had an ingrown toenail. So I did as I normally did when I have an ingrown and used toenail clippers to cut it out. So my nail curves as normal but then drops from where I cut it. It was fine the next morning but then I accidentally got some hand sanitizer on it and now it's swollen, red, and infected. The past few days I've been putting Neosporin and band aids on it, only letting it air out during showers and when sitting on my bed. I've been taking Excedrin for the pain and ibuprofen to help fight the infection since it's anti-inflammatory.

It really hurts and I can't even walk on it. I put peroxide on it this morning and I think it made it worse. It is draining but mainly just pus and I little blood.

I need advice other than going to the doctor. I don't have a lot of money to spare right now. I don't have any Epsom salt but if I must I can get some.

Any help? Thanks!!

Post Edited (Camogirl0427) : 10/13/2013 7:17:04 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/14/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome to HealingWell! I had this happen to me a few years ago. It was the inside corner of my big toe. I keep my toenails very short and that was the problem with the big toe that was affected. I did what you are doing. I think I even tried alcohol, too, to sanitize it. If pus was coming out I would squeeze that area to help drain it some and relieve the pressure and then add more peroxide and Neosporin and a fresh band aid. I also changed my socks frequently so they were clean, too. Still, it took several weeks before i really saw a difference. I kept a close eye on it and planned to see a doctor if I didn't start to get results but it did finally get better.

BUT, if this doesn't start to clear up for you, do see a doctor. It could be more costly to you if you didn't and you let this infection rage on.

Do let us know how things work out because we do care about you.

Sherrine
Posted 10/14/2013 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Soaking the foot with the infected toe in Epsom salts will help to draw out the infected material. Soak it 3-4 times a day. Mix the solution in warm, not hot, water according to the directions on the container of salts. This is what my podiatrist did when I had an infected ingrown nail. WORD of Caution - if not tended to properly, an infection of the toe can lead to an infection of the bone. Toes take longer to heal as they are so far down the circulation path. If you find that the soaks are not improving the inflammation and amount of pus you must see a podiatrist.

After repeated infections in my toe, a portion of my nail was permanently removed along one entire edge. It looks no different that my other great toe.
Posted 10/15/2013 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Soak as much as you can with warm water

If you can't walk it may be time to see a doctor and start antibiotics,

As already mentioned it can lead to a bone infection, this happened to me and I had three surgeries plus I've been on antibiotics since Dec 2011
Posted 10/15/2013 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
I read several articles the other day that said using peri oxide is bad because even though it kill the bad bacteria it also kills the new cells. So it will take longer to heal.
Posted 10/15/2013 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hope all the suggestions help you.
Please, if it does not heal, do see a doctor!!

All my adult life, off & on,
I had sore big toes because of my toenails & ,
Like Ides, I ended up having a portion of my toe nails removed & never had any problems again.

It hurt for a couple of days immediately after procedure, but results were well worth it !!
Posted 10/15/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Camogirl, if you google "ingrown toenails".you will see a lot of good info about how to take care of this. This is a quite common problem and can be caused by ill-fitting shoes. This is nothing to panic about but if it doesn't clear up in the near future, it's worth a trip to the doctor and get it taken care of.

By the way, I only had that one ingrown toenail in my life and I'm 66 years old. I don't think you have to worry about having this problem for the rest of your life. I also highly doubt you could get disability insurance for an ingrown toenail. smilewinkgrin As I said before, let us know how you are doing because we do care about you.

Sherrine
Posted 10/15/2013 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
How is your toe doing? I use a mix of very warm to hot water with epson salt and a drop or two of bleach and soak your toe, this should help and if it's still not better then get to a doctor as you might need an antibotic therapy.
Posted 10/15/2013 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
After a few days the pain is still lingering but not as bad with random shoots of sharp pain. I've had to work the past few days so I've had to stand for hours with tennis shoes on. But I'm off for the next couple of days so I'll see what I can do.

The swelling has gone down a little but it's still hot near the infection and sometimes is a reddish color.

Thanks for all your concern, I plan to use some warm water today and I'm going to buy some Epsom salt later on today. I've been taking ibuprofen and Excedrin to help relieve pain and inflammation, which seems to be working somewhat. I've also been putting triple antibiotic on it and been keeping it covered up with Band-Aids to past few days.
Posted 10/15/2013 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Cogito, I am going to ask you to read your post again and go in & edit some of your comments you made. They are uncalled for. This person came here asking for help which is what we do the best at this forum. While an ingrown toenail may not be the end of the world they can be quite painful especially if infected. My son has a bad problem with these & has many times had to get medical help because of the infection.

Thanks......Susie
Posted 10/15/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
If a person has an underlying condition such as diabetes, cardiac problems, an ingrown toenail left untreated can inadvertently cause loss of limb so it is a problem that needs immediate attention and who better to ask then us?

I know you dont want to have a bill but it could likely take a trip to the Er or urgent care for antibiotics. They actually make meds that help and I believe Dr Scholls is one of them and its called outgrow? Check the drugstore and its not really expensive.
Posted 10/15/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Camogirl & welcome to the forum. Sorry to read what you have going on. The others have given you some good info.

My son has been plagued with this on one toe since he was a little boy & he is now a grown man. He has been to the dr I could not count the times because of infection. The drs have trimmed the toe nail swearing that would be the end of the problem, wrong, it still grows back wrong. He had his toe nail completely removed a couple of years ago. Again, the dr said this would end the problem, wrong again. They can be quite painful.

Keep us posted and soaking in Epson salts will help......Susie
Posted 10/16/2013 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Camogirl don't forget to add a few drops of bleach, the bleach will draw the infected parts out, and the epson salts soothes with the warmest water you can tolerate...
Posted 10/16/2013 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
My mom took me to the doctor today. He squeezed my toe and a lot of stuff came out. He gave me some antibiotics (doxycycline) and told me to take 1 pill twice a day for 10 days to help fight the infection. He also said soak the toe in 50/50 hot water and peroxide to help with the infection.

As of right now it doesn't hurt that bad and the swelling has seemed to have gone down a little.

Then he said if it's not better after the antibiotics and the nail would have to be removed. D:
Posted 10/16/2013 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you are on the road to recovery! I'm glad you saw a doctor. Now you won't worry so much.

Sherrine
Posted 10/16/2013 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
Camogirl0427

Something I learned while in the military about this is to always trim the nail straight across. Let the sides grow out the end. also after washing your feet you can use the nail file part of a nail clipper to gently clean under the outer edge of the toenail and along the top edge of the nail next to the skin. It will remove the stuff that gets built up there from socks and such.

If it happens again you can also cut a small V in the middle of the toenail end. This will allow the nail to pull out from the sides of your toe and once it grows out keep it trimmed as above.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/16/2013 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Camogirl,

I went to Urgent Care with this problem a few years ago. It really hurt!! I don't think it had gotten to the point yours has, though, because I didn't get antibiotics.

The dr instructed me to do the Epsom Salts soaks, and also to trim straight across (I usually did, but apparently I'd accidentally cut it too short.)

Then he showed me how to take a cotton ball and lodge it at the edge of the toe, where it was infected...then wrap it with medical tape so the nail would be forced to grow straight up, rather than farther in.

Within a couple of days, it was growing the way it should. It also helped take the pressure off the nail, and so lessened the pain, immediately.

Best $70 I've spent on medical care, maybe ever!  I really hope you start feeling much better soon.

Debbie
Posted 10/19/2013 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
UPDATE: Hey it's me camogirl0427 again. :-)

I just wanted to give you guys an update on my toe. The swelling went away completely only 2 days of taking the antibiotics! smilewinkgrin

It no longer hurts and I can finally walk again!! I still am taking the medicine for another 5 or 6 more days. I've only soaked it once but only because I've been really busy. But I plan to keep working on it. I don't think I'll have to go back an get the nail removed, mainly because the infection is almost gone.

Well there my update. I thank y'all for your support and advice.
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