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Suggest Treatment For Painful Ingrown Toenail

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Posted on Tue, 8 Aug 2017
Question: Picked off ny toenail pain comes and goes looks ingrown worked all week so walking alot is it infected
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

The area on the inside of the toe does look like a soft tissue infection has started.

Hot soaks or holding the toe under hot water, a minimum of 3 times per day, can help curb the infection if it is gotten early. Heat works in 2 ways: increases blood flow to the area which allows more white blood cells to come and clean up the infection. And by raising the skin temperature which makes it less hospitable for bacteria to multiply (they need a narrow temperature range around skin/body temperature). Don't make the water so hot that you burn your skin of course.

However, if the redness spreads, or increased pain and tenderness develops, then it is time to go in for an oral antibiotic. Watch this closely, and don't wait if that happens. If you are given an oral antibiotic, continue the hot soaks too.

It is very important that you protect that toe now to prevent trauma and increased infection. Wash hands before touching the exposed nail bed, and wrap that part in gauze/bandage before putting (clean) socks on.

So watch for any increasing signs of infection and be quick to go in to be seen if it is spreading or increasing. And get it under some hot water.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Painful Ingrown Toenail

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, The area on the inside of the toe does look like a soft tissue infection has started. Hot soaks or holding the toe under hot water, a minimum of 3 times per day, can help curb the infection if it is gotten early. Heat works in 2 ways: increases blood flow to the area which allows more white blood cells to come and clean up the infection. And by raising the skin temperature which makes it less hospitable for bacteria to multiply (they need a narrow temperature range around skin/body temperature). Don't make the water so hot that you burn your skin of course. However, if the redness spreads, or increased pain and tenderness develops, then it is time to go in for an oral antibiotic. Watch this closely, and don't wait if that happens. If you are given an oral antibiotic, continue the hot soaks too. It is very important that you protect that toe now to prevent trauma and increased infection. Wash hands before touching the exposed nail bed, and wrap that part in gauze/bandage before putting (clean) socks on. So watch for any increasing signs of infection and be quick to go in to be seen if it is spreading or increasing. And get it under some hot water. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.