Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
I have these red inflamed bumps on my left big toe. They started under the nail bed at the cuticle and went to the tip of my toe. They itch insanely bad when they are new. I try not to scratch them because it makes them hurt severely. I have soaked my feet in warm salt water but the warm water makes it hurt worse, like it s on fire. Cool water feels better. I have had the blisters off and on since March of 2014. When I went to my family doctor for it he said I had cellulitis and gave me a sulfur drug. It helped and they went away for awhile. Since then I have been to a podiatrist and he said my second toe was rubbing it and that was what was causing the red blisters and also that I have fungus on my toenail. He would not listen to why my nail looked like it does and that I did not think it was fungus, he just said to use betadine and something over the counter for fungus. My toenail has partly come off and is split down the middle. Before it split, one of the red bumps or blisters formed under the nail in the middle at the cuticle. It was very painful and was raising the nail up. I had to cut the top off to relieve the pain. Now my toenail looks awful. The red blisters are coming up on the top inside of my toe now. The only thing that helps is keeping it germ free and campho-phenique for the itching. Could you please help me to figure out what is causing it and or help get rid of it for good. Thank you
Your symptoms are indicative of bacterial, fungal or herpes infection. Herpes infection can get into small cuts or abrasions on the fingers or toes. It causes painful swelling, blisters and itching. You can apply antibacterial ointment in the area affected. Take care of your hygiene. Hydrocortizone ointment also works well. You can take a course of anti fungals orally(fluconazole). You are suggested to get blood & skin biopsy test along with HSV test done. So that medicines (anti virals)can be started at the earliest if needed. Avoid physical contact with other people, wash your hands thoroughly, apply medication with cotton swabs to reduce contact with sores. Get clinically assessed to detect if your toe nail needs a surgery.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Small Red Blisters On The Toe?
Hello, Your symptoms are indicative of bacterial, fungal or herpes infection. Herpes infection can get into small cuts or abrasions on the fingers or toes. It causes painful swelling, blisters and itching. You can apply antibacterial ointment in the area affected. Take care of your hygiene. Hydrocortizone ointment also works well. You can take a course of anti fungals orally(fluconazole). You are suggested to get blood & skin biopsy test along with HSV test done. So that medicines (anti virals)can be started at the earliest if needed. Avoid physical contact with other people, wash your hands thoroughly, apply medication with cotton swabs to reduce contact with sores. Get clinically assessed to detect if your toe nail needs a surgery. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician