To wonder if this is an infection tracking up my child’s foot?

[SparklyOliveCat]

Am I being dramatic? Don’t want to waste the NHS’s resources on a weekend but also don’t want to leave this if it needs attention. DD has what we suspect is something stuck in her foot. She has an appointment to see the nurse on Tuesday to have it removed. Does this look like a line going from the sore bit up her foot? The doctor saw it last week and said there were no signs of infection. I don’t know if I’m just being dramatic or if I should take her to have it looked at now? Really appreciate advice as I have literally no knowledge of this sort of thing. Thanks.

Another angle

Can you get to a pharmacist? They would be able to tell you if it’s a problem. Also put a line with pen, and the time at the end of the line, so that you can see if it moves. Also, does it feel hot, or painful when your DD puts pressure on it?

Looks fine to me.

I don’t actually see anything. Is it warm? Oozing? Painful?

Okay think I’m being dramatic then! 😂

it just looks like there’s a dark line around the actual sore bit, and that the dark line then goes up the side of the foot. It’s not hot to touch or oozing.

Draw a line around it to see if it progresses. Watch for signs of infection.

It’s tricky to say due to lighting I’d say draw around the area you suspect shows infection. If redness goes beyond the line it could indicate tracking infection.
In the meantime, has she a high temperature?

I can't see any tracking. What is her temperature? Does the area feel hot or normal to touch? What does she think is it there? How does she feel in herself.

TBH- I'm surprised you haven't got a head torch and a sterile pin/tweezers to get out whatever it is!

The doctor said to just use a heat pack - which hasn’t worked. Nurse is going to remove on Tuesday.

They advised against attempting it ourselves.

It looks ok to me. But you could certainly keep an eye on it. And keep an eye on her temp because if it goes up it could mean infection. Or if it gets worse/yellow looking/pus etc. or if she starts to feel unwell. You could take her to the doctor then for antibiotics. You could put antiseptic on it too in the meantime

An antihistamine could help too if you think it could be a bug/bee/plant of some sort

There's a cream you can get in pharmacies also to encourage things out that are stuck in the skin. I can't remember the name of it though!

I had cellulitis in my foot a few years ago, caused by a tiny injury on my toe and I was advised to do exactly what PP have said - mark where it is now and keep a check on it.

I was prescribed antibiotics, had to keep my foot elevated and go to A&E if it spread up past my ankle. It didn't.

But my foot was red and puffy, but I can't tell if yours is from the photos

We’ve been using Epsom salts too, but the skin has healed over and I can’t see how it would be able to come out without the skin being broken.

I can’t break the skin as DD just won’t be a good patient for me. Hoping the nurse has more success next week.

Put a big cushioned fabric plaster over it. It will draw it out by tomorrow. They’re a brilliant poultice.

I think you are thinking of magnesium sulphate.

Ah yes! That's exactly what I'm thinking of. Couldn't remember it for the life of me. Thank you! 😊

Would magnesium sulphate work even if the skins healed over?

Yes, it is used on unbroken skin and can be quite effective in drawing out things. I know she's getting seen on Tuesday but no harm to keep in mind anyway

Sorry to post again… is this definitely not a verruca? The doctor seemed certain it wasn’t. Don’t mean to doubt a doctor, but I’m just concerned in case they’ve got this one wrong.

From looking at the pics it doesn't look like a verruca to me. It's good she's getting it seen to tomorrow anyway

Is it magnesium paste? My grandma used to make a bread poltice which seemed to work but it probably a huge infection risk haha

I also think it looks like it could be a verucca.