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Original poster

Ewwww really worried about DDs big toe, utterly manky infection

85 replies

Pantone363 · 27/06/2013 21:38

DD 3 had a v small cut in the crease under her big toe. It had a small infection which has got bigger and bigger. Today her toe is twice its size, the cut is weeping manky pus, individual blisters of pus have gone down the side of her foot and up over her toe. It's red raw where some of them have popped and bleeding in other places.

We went to the walk in centre on Monday when it was nowhere near this bad and the nurse gave antibs and stuck a steri strip over it. Went back today because its so much worse. Saw a doctor today who actually physically baulked at it Shock. She gave new strong antibs and a dry iodine powder to cover it. She also said the nurse should not have put a steri strip on it (it just sat inside the cut until DD pulled it off)

The pharmacy didn't have the powder she prescribed and said its not even made anymore. The GP said if no improvement by 9am she needs iv antibs at the hospital. Her foot just looks worse and worse, she can't walk on it and its just gross.

Would you take to AE tonight or wait until the morn? Are the new antibs even going to make any difference by 9am?

OP posts:
crazykat · 01/07/2013 17:58

Definitely take her back as that doesn't sound like its getting better.

I'd much rather waste a bit of time than leave it to get worse as it'll take longer to heal. Leaving it could also lead to the infection spreading.

Your DD is only little and it must be really painful for her.

FWIW doctors have always told me that with babies and young children its best to get them checked out (more than once if needs be) than to miss something that needs treatment by not wanting to waste time.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 01/07/2013 20:35

Hope you've gone back OP.

It really should be swabbed to make sure that your dd is prescribed the most appropriate treatment.

Original poster
Pantone363 · 02/07/2013 00:01

Hi! We went back, a different doctor this time. He said it was fine, the pus is probably from the old infection and because its been dressed it hasn't had a chance to come out. He didn't think the weeping clear stuff was infected just wet and raw. Try to keep clean but no socks or shoes (which seems impossible to me). Oldest DD said "oh you should get nanny to put some more magic stuff on it"...upon questioning it seems MIL has been spraying it with colloidal silver? Not sure if its helped or made it worse!

I'll keep an eye on it tomorrow, thanks for the advice.

OP posts:
TotallyBursar · 02/07/2013 02:38

Using a silver cream (usually available on prescription, Flamazine etc) was thought to be beneficial due to the antibiotic properties of silver but a more recent study indicated it increased healing times and other wound complications (like exudate and irrritation). It was generally used for burns or for treatment of chronic ulcers. Previous studies on it's effectiveness have been disputed due to cntrol measures etc. However there is strong anecdotal benefit - I've used it a lot with burns and other skin lesions in animals as an adjunctive part of aseptic wound care, and it's debatable whether the silver or the fact it is in a nice parrafin base and a good barrier cream has made the difference, but others swear by it.

Colloidal silver is complete homeopathic bollocks that has been found to have no legitimate medical use in studies. It won't help but depending on the suspension probably won't do anything else either.

TotallyBursar · 02/07/2013 02:48

*Paraffin.

Also, it's really unlikely to be an issue with the odd blot of colloidal silver unless applied 2 pints at a time, but, silver accumulates in the body and can cause Argyria - skin discolouration after exposure to light and is a permanent change. Colloidal silver can also interfere with the action of some antibiotics and other drugs but only if the concentration is high enough and given frequently.

Anyway the point of this post was to say glad dd is back home and seemingly on the mend. Fingers crossed it's uneventful Thanks

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/07/2013 07:11

I don't keep any antiseptics in the house, I've had people putting talc in wounds before now, and letting the dog lick them too.

I think we are a bit germolene obsessed in this country tbh.

We are programmed to heal so just keep it covered to absorb the exudate and leave it to heal.

Did he give you dressings?

Original poster
Pantone363 · 02/07/2013 15:58

I thought you'd all like another update on DDs riveting manky toe.

Woke up this morning and a small scratch on her nose had overnight turned into a manky crusty pus bubble! Stripped her off and she also had one on her left nipple and a big one in the middle of her back! Straight back to walk in after school run and got a FABULOUS nurse who diagnosed a preset major staph infection (since then 3 more satellite lesions had turned up). Home with microbial bath wash, a week of flucloxacillin, fucidin and haelon tape. 2 baths a day, dried thoroughly, sores dried with a cool hair dryer, lashings of fucidin and then covered in haelon tape. Then back to the dressing clinic on Friday.

This is never ending! Also instructions to boil wash all sheets and towels DD has used...

OP posts:
orangepudding · 02/07/2013 16:03

Poor girl Sad, hope it clears up soon.

Hawkmoth · 02/07/2013 16:04

Poor thing. Hopefully it will all start sorting itself out pretty quick now.

inneedofrain · 02/07/2013 16:08

Poor DD and poor you.

Staph infections are nasty.

Thank-god you got such a good nurse.

Fingers well and truely crossed that you are on the home straight now!

Boil wash everything you can, remember to use a new towel after each bath and make sure that no one else uses them prior to boil washing those too.

Give DD a big hug and well done for being so persistent.

LoveSewingBee · 02/07/2013 18:34

And if she becomes more ill, fever or hallucinations then urgent A&E. Staph can cause blood poisoning and sepsis which is very very serious. Hopefully your dd is over the worse but I would seek immediate help if ther is Any deterioration. I was hospitalised with sepsis due to neglected staph infection ...

BoreOfWhabylon · 02/07/2013 18:51

Poor girl and poor OP. I do hope swabs have been taken by now

Original poster
Pantone363 · 02/07/2013 19:28

Thanks all, I'm almost paranoid now, have taken lots of photos so I can compare daily.

The flucloxacillin evidently tastes gross, I'm bribing with sugar paste balls Blush

OP posts:
MousyMouse · 02/07/2013 19:31

well, whatever helps getting it down.
hope she's much better soon.
dc also had a staph infection when little, it was scary how fast it spread. vile anti-bs and antiseptic cream sorted it out, though.

inneedofrain · 02/07/2013 19:34

There is no harm at all with being paranoid around staph infections.

Bribe with whatever is necessary to get her to take her meds the poor little thing must have had enough of doctors etc by now, and is no doubt feeling very poorly. If sugar paste balls get the meds in then sugar paste balls it is! Dont be embarressed in the least!

lets us know how she is getting on, and yes to taking the photos! if nothing else they may be handy for bribery in the teen years! Smile

PseudoBadger · 02/07/2013 19:43

Oh gosh how awful, I hope it clears up soon xx

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/07/2013 20:14

I can confirm flucloxacillin tastes fecking awfull. And gives me thrush. And ibs.

Madamecastafiore · 02/07/2013 20:17

Get some hydrogen peroxide and dilute and then stick her toe in it. If still infection all bacteria will be oxidised and you will see bubbles appear.

Its bloody amazing stuff - had uncle who regularly got infected big toe and he tried it after being on antibiotics on and off for years and now swears by it.

I use it for anything infected and also as a mouthwash for a proper clean mouth every so often.

Is ace for bacterial tonsillitis too.

girliefriend · 02/07/2013 20:26

Oh bless her sounds rough, how old is she?

I'm a nurse and a bit dubious at the leave the toe uncovered advice, I would think it would need a dressing of some sort of it (I would dress it with inadine and padding) Can you get her an appointment with the practice nurse to review?

Original poster
Pantone363 · 02/07/2013 20:57

She has to go to the dressing clinic every 48hrs for the wound to be checked. They said god no when I asked them to dress it, apparently staph loves nothing more than moist dead skin to feast on

OP posts:
Original poster
Pantone363 · 02/07/2013 20:58

Now she has the haelon tape it's pretty covered from dirt etc, she just looks like someone's stuck a load of Sellotape on her!

OP posts:
GwendolineMaryLacey · 02/07/2013 21:09

Poor little mite, what an ordeal for her. Hope it's better soon.

inneedofrain · 02/07/2013 21:31

Air and light are going to help prevent further growth of staph keep toe out of shoes, socks, slippers as much as possible

inneedofrain · 02/07/2013 21:34

Ps haelon tape is fab stuff!

lucysmum · 02/07/2013 21:39

Not scaremongering but my DD had infection caused by splinter under big toe that didn't respond to oral AB. Infection tracked up her leg overnight and she ended up on IV ABs for 3 days. Drs were calm but clearly worried. With hindsight we should have gone to a and e sooner rather than wait for oral ABs to work. Friend who is dr said feet are difficult places to clear infections from due to skin structure. So pls go back to hospital if you are at all worried.