Sore toe (with pic)

[AuntPru]

My toe started hurting on Wednesday evening and is now swollen and red and painful to walk on. I know the obvious explanation is an ingrown toenail, but I can't see where it would have pierced the skin (there's no discharge). Any advice on treatment/ pain relief?

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Pic

It does look really red and angry. I think it needs to be looked at, but if your surgery is anything like mine at the moment you might struggle to get an appointment. I would call and ask - they may offer you a telephone appointment and you can send pictures for a gp to see. Or failing that, a walk in clinic or pharmacist?

That looks like an infected cuticle. It will probably clear up on its own. You can encourage healing by soaking in hot salty water twice a day and applying some thing like sudocream or savlon when you dry it off. If you need to wear shoes, a large plaster round the toe makes it less painful. I get these a couple of times a year and never needed a doctor yet.