To go back to doctors about my toe

[Lucy997]

Went to doctors on Friday and was told it was a toe nail infection and I was prescribed Lymecycline. I’ve woke up this morning; it’s itchy, more red and the redness seems to have spread to my toe nail ? Does it need looking at again?

Oh and I have an abbess under the skin so it looks funny shape

show a pharmacist

Have you soaked twice a day in salt water and cleaned it, gently clearing away the crusty bit? Mine always gets better if you let the pus out by cleaning near the cuticle.

Its a paronychia, soaking in warm water will help, I'd try that a few times before going back

Why is your toenail so long? 😳

That wasn’t the question!

Yes OP go back. I once had a toe infection that needed antibiotics and the first ones they gave me didn’t work against it so the infection didn’t improve. GP said this can happen. Went onto a different course which cleared it up.

Go back asap needs antibodies looks like an ingrowing toenail with an abscess must be really painful

i found a podiatrist better for helping deal with foot issues - you do have to pay but they get it treated properly and can do more than a gp or a pharmacist

You need to see a podiatrist really. They cost around £35.

Not sure really but I’ve had this for a while but could only get in to see doctor on Friday. The advice on the internet was not to cut the nail

Thanks everyone. I’ll have a look for a local podiatrist. I’ve tried warm water soaks for the past 2 weeks but it seems to just be getting worse

You need it cut properly by the podiatrist. I had a horrible toenail when I was younger. It took a few visits but they managed to sort it for me.

GPs aren’t the best with foot care. I hope you manage to find a podiatrist to fit you in soon.

Soak it it warm water for a good 20 mins with lots of salt. Clean with a cotton bud around the nail,I think that crusty but will dislodge and release some pus and it'll feel a lot better. Keep doing it. I'd put some Savlon cream on it too to keep it soft and easy to drain. Do that for a few days and go back if things don't improve.

I agree about seeing a podiatrist. A GP won't do much for a funny toenail.

I second seeing a podiatrist it really is worth the money

I agree with the advice to find a podiatrist and to soak in warm water with epsom salts if you can. Keep it nice and clean.

I dont think you should be putting savlon cream on something like this without medical advice, potentially could make it a lot worse

It couldn't make it worse.

I've had much the same on and off since February, with 3 separate cycles of antibiotics. Mine was perhaps more inflamed and swollen - and incredibly painful!

if yours is very painful then go to your doctor. Mine is due to an ingrowing toenail and I am booked for minor surgery at the end of May. My doctor wanted the infection fully cleared before that.

Thanks everyone. I did end up going back because it was just really sore and starting to feel itchy. The GP has prescribed me Flucloxacillin instead. He said the other antibiotics I was given wouldn’t have worked for that particular thing. He has referred me to NHS podiatrist as he thinks mine is also ingrown and also the abscess probably needs draining he says. there might be a wait though so I might go private. Hope the surgery gives you some relief @DilemmaDelilah