Will an Infected Toe Heal Itself? An infection can sometimes go away on its own, but it may need treatment. If you have diabetes, and redness and swelling don't go away or have painful joints or muscles, you should see your doctor.
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But, how do you get rid of a toe infection without antibiotics?
You can also try these remedies at home:
Soak the toe for about 15 minutes in a bathtub or bucket filled with warm water and salt. Do this three to four times a day.Rub a medicated ointment on the toe and wrap it in a clean bandage.To treat an ingrown toenail, gently lift the corner of the nail.
Along with that, what does a infected toenail look like? Infected nails are usually thicker than normal and could be warped or oddly shaped. They can break easily. Nails with fungus might look yellow. Sometimes a white dot shows up on the nail and then gets bigger.
Nevertheless, should I leave my ingrown toenail alone?
If the infected ingrown nail is left untreated the infection can spread to the bone beneath the nail or, in extreme cases, enter the blood stream and cause sepsis, gangrene or a flesh eating disorder. For those with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, an ingrown toenail should never be left untreated.
Does hydrogen peroxide help ingrown toenails?
Hydrogen peroxide is another great option to treat ingrown toenails at home. It is a natural disinfectant, which is the reason why it is commonly used to clean wounds. Soak your infected foot in a bucket of water and hydrogen peroxide solution for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this 2 to 3 times daily.
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In some cases, an untreated ingrown toenail can spread the infection to the bone beneath the nail. And, if the infection continues to be left untreated, it can even enter the bloodstream and cause a serious condition, such as sepsis or gangrene.
An ingrown toenail happens when the edges or corners of the nail grow into the skin next to the nail and break the skin. It is a common condition, and it can be painful, causing swelling, redness, and sometimes infection. It usually affects the big toe, either on one or both sides of the toe.
However, if you notice your toe is red, swollen and has pus coming out of it, you should seek medical attention at your local urgent care as soon as possible. You should also visit an urgent care if your infection symptoms don't go away, worsen or keep coming back.
Apply antibiotic ointment Using over-the-counter antibiotic ointment or cream can promote healing and help reduce the risk of infection. Apply the ointment to the affected toenail following the manufacturer's instructions, usually up to three times daily. These ointments include Neosporin, Polysporin, and Bactroban.
Bacitracin and Neosporin are both OTC topical antibiotics used as first aid to help prevent infection from minor abrasions, wounds, and burns. These drugs are used in similar ways, but they contain different active ingredients.
The Epsom salt soak eases discomfort and draws pus out from the area around the toenail. It can also loosen the skin, so it can be pulled away from your ingrown toenail. When your ingrown toenail is most acute, soak several times per day. Make sure you dry your foot completely after each soak.
If you have apple cider vinegar around your house, you can soak your foot in it for relief. Apple cider vinegar will kill some of the bacteria in your ingrown toenail and reduce inflammation. For the best result, fill a basin with warm water and add a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar.
Early on, the skin around the ingrown nail may become reddened and feel slightly tender. If it progresses and becomes infected, it may become more swollen, red and painful. If the infection gets worse, there may be some fluid (pus) oozing from around the nail. Ingrown toenail pus is usually yellow or green.
Ingrown toenails do not require antibiotics unless they have become infected. After infection, your doctor will advise you on the best antibiotic and how to take your medication. Some of the common antibiotics for ingrown toenails include ampicillin, amoxicillin, and vancomycin.
People with sepsis often develop a hemorrhagic rashβa cluster of tiny blood spots that look like pinpricks in the skin. If untreated, these gradually get bigger and begin to look like fresh bruises. These bruises then join together to form larger areas of purple skin damage and discoloration.
A toenail infection can also lead to foot ulcers, or open sores, and a loss of blood flow to the infected area. Tissue decay and tissue death at the site of infection are possible. A foot infection can be more serious if you have diabetes.
A podiatrist will remove the ingrown portion of the nail and may prescribe a topical or oral medication to treat the infection. If ingrown nails are a chronic problem, your podiatrist can perform a procedure to permanently prevent ingrown nails.
On MDsave, the cost of an Ingrown Toenail Removal (in office) ranges from $233 to $269. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.