Do we need to get antibiotics?

[Chocolategirl79]

Dd (10) has picked at the toenail on her big toe and has a bit of an infection around the side of her toenail.
It's slightly swollen and red and sore when she puts her school shoes on.
Have been putting germolene on it and some pus has come out. Took her to the local pharmacy who had a look and said she needs antibiotics!

Dd has a massive fear of the dr (long story) and the thought of trying to take her fills me with dread.
Does she really need antibiotics? Is there anything I could try before that?
Just so you don't think I'm not a fit mother - it's not stopping her doing anything (dance, gym, netball) but it is a bit sore looking.

Pharmacist might just mean topical antibiotic.
If it gets worse then I would go see doc.
Keep trying all the topical antiseptics.

Warm salt foot baths will really help.

It is hard to say. I recall having minor scrapes that got slightly v infected as a child that went away on their own. I would take her to a doctor though. My family had a lot of doctors in it so could reasonably decide when antibiotics were necessary though. If anything I would say that taking her to the doctor will be a good thing. It is not good for her to fear doctors. She will eventually need one at some point, the last thing you want is for her to end up very sick or dead because she was to frightened to go to a doctor and there was no one around to force her.

She could try soaking it in salt water, vinegar is supposed to be good for infections too but Google that because I'm not sure.

You need to keep an eye on it though, if it's not getting better or is getting worse she will need it seen. Would the idea of seeing a nurse rather than a doctor be less daunting for her?

Topical antibiotic like fucidin might do it. Ask pharmacist or speak to GP to see if they’d prescribe it??

In long run, what will you do to tackle her fear of GP? Since the treatment will be so non-invasive, is this a chance to help create a positive memory of GP visit rather than only having bad ones?

I would say that if a pharmacist has looked at it and thinks it needs antibiotics, it probably needs antibiotics.

Magnesium sulphate and a decent dressing to draw out the infection.

However I wouldn't ignore the pharmacist advice. My DS has a small red looking lump on his side a few years ago, I went to the chemist to get something and they sent me to GO for antibiotics. It took a 2 week course pulse visits to the nurse 3 times a week to redress it withmagsulph and 5 weeks for it to clear completely. It got much worse before it got better but I honestly thought it was nothing to be gone with.

Please take her to a doctor

Ah ok thanks all. I thought the NHS was trying to get away from prescribing antibiotics so much so was surprised that the pharmacist didn't suggest something that didn't require a dr and it honestly doesn't seem much and isn't affecting her. But I'll call the dr tomorrow and hopefully a less traumatic visit than previous one!!

Yes it’s likely to be fucidin antibiotic cream that’s needed

They are trying to stop people asking for anti biotics for things that don't need them, like viruses. They are 100% going to give an antibiotic if it's needed.

If you describe what bad thing at doctor's happened b4 maybe we will have ideas how to make this visit seem very different.

What?

Sorry posted on wrong thread

Yes salt water baths and lavender oil

A good soak in a dettol bath would be where I’d start. My DD is a little picker too. I don’t think she even realises she’s doing it.

Just updating should anyone else be in the same situation. Saw the practice nurse who recommended magnesium sulphate for a couple of days and has given me a prescription for antibiotic tablets in case that doesn't clear it out. It wasn't too traumatic for her as we managed to get in and out fairly quickly!!

Glad the visit went well. Build a basis of good experiences. Hope her foot is much better soon.