Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Toenail Infection
Question: I have a toe infection and my toe nail came off due to it kept getting hit. Now it is tender, painful and pus. What can I do to speed healing. I finish an antibiotic weeks ago. I use fungal creams and tea tree oil but it keeps getting hit.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The first order of business is to prevent it from sustaining further trauma. I don't know what is going on as the reason for repeated injuries, but do whatever you can to protect that toe.
The things you are doing are good. Soaking in hot water (not so hot it burns your skin though) is good in that it brings white blood cells to the area (from increased blood flow) which helps clean up the infection, and raises the temperature of the skin so that it is less hospitable for the bacteria to grow (they don't like it too hot and require a narrow range of temperature to multiply). So soak in hot water (or hold the toe under hot water) as often as possible, at least 3 times a day. Tea Tree oil is fine to add too as it has some antibacterial properties.
However, if you find that it is not resolving, and the infection is spreading (increased area of redness, increased hardness, increased pain), then you may need further antibiotics. Before doing so, make sure that the discharge is cultured and sent for "culture and sensitivity testing" so that the best antibiotic for it is used.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The first order of business is to prevent it from sustaining further trauma. I don't know what is going on as the reason for repeated injuries, but do whatever you can to protect that toe.
The things you are doing are good. Soaking in hot water (not so hot it burns your skin though) is good in that it brings white blood cells to the area (from increased blood flow) which helps clean up the infection, and raises the temperature of the skin so that it is less hospitable for the bacteria to grow (they don't like it too hot and require a narrow range of temperature to multiply). So soak in hot water (or hold the toe under hot water) as often as possible, at least 3 times a day. Tea Tree oil is fine to add too as it has some antibacterial properties.
However, if you find that it is not resolving, and the infection is spreading (increased area of redness, increased hardness, increased pain), then you may need further antibiotics. Before doing so, make sure that the discharge is cultured and sent for "culture and sensitivity testing" so that the best antibiotic for it is used.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
