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Suggest Treatment For Toe Pain Despite Taking Antibiotics
Question: Pain in my toe continues even after taking tetanus toxide (last Monday) and antibiotic (Cefozyt CV for 3 days). Doctor diagnosed it as pincer nail. There is swelling and redness in the tip of the toe. Bad pain all of last night as if a rubber band were tied obstructing circulation.
Background - Experienced slight pain while cutting my nail on Apr 28 as the ends had grown inward. I was on a vacation for 6 days since 28th. This is when the swelling and redness developed - after accidental hitting against something in the trip, also the contact with sand, salt water etc. in the beaches. After I returned I soaked in warm salted water, potassium permanganate but the pain did not subside. I then saw a doctor and got the injection and antibiotic.
Background - Experienced slight pain while cutting my nail on Apr 28 as the ends had grown inward. I was on a vacation for 6 days since 28th. This is when the swelling and redness developed - after accidental hitting against something in the trip, also the contact with sand, salt water etc. in the beaches. After I returned I soaked in warm salted water, potassium permanganate but the pain did not subside. I then saw a doctor and got the injection and antibiotic.
Brief Answer:
Abscess - incision & drainage, maybe toenail removal necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
I have gone through your query and seen the attached photos.
It looks like an abscess (collection of pus) under the nail.
This needs to be evacuated and cleaned right away to avoid spread of infection. The nail may also need to be removed. (It will grow back)
This can be done under local anesthesia (ring block) which will completely number your toe.
The procedure will take about 15 minutes.
Please keep leg dry and apply topical antibiotic ointment to control the Infection.
See a general surgeon right away. Antibiotics alone will not help as the infection is walled into an abscess.
A tetanus shot only prevents tetanus infection,not other bacterial infections.
Please consult a doctor at the earliest. Pain will significantly improve once it is out.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Abscess - incision & drainage, maybe toenail removal necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
I have gone through your query and seen the attached photos.
It looks like an abscess (collection of pus) under the nail.
This needs to be evacuated and cleaned right away to avoid spread of infection. The nail may also need to be removed. (It will grow back)
This can be done under local anesthesia (ring block) which will completely number your toe.
The procedure will take about 15 minutes.
Please keep leg dry and apply topical antibiotic ointment to control the Infection.
See a general surgeon right away. Antibiotics alone will not help as the infection is walled into an abscess.
A tetanus shot only prevents tetanus infection,not other bacterial infections.
Please consult a doctor at the earliest. Pain will significantly improve once it is out.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Answered by
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