Does this warrant a&e, infected toe?

[Lockdownbaby2021]

Hi all.
my son (3.5 years) stubbed his toe a couple of months back, half of it went black and the other half stayed on. The black half eventually started to lift and we just thought the whole nail would die and a new nail would grow underneath it would fall off. This never happened and the nail has remained half on half off. He’s a sensitive little boy and won’t let us look at it. He is walking okay etc.

he got home from nursery yesterday and I noticed it was getting really red and sore and the nail was nearly off (still hanging on though). My parents think he needs to go to hospital now (he’s fast asleep and it’s 21:50) but I don’t know if it looks serious enough?
so stuck on what’s right and wrong!
do you think I could get it seen to in the morning at the chemist, would they entertain it? I don’t want to traumatise him after a very horrific hospital experience a couple of years ago.

Does he have a temp? If no temp id keep an eye on any red moving/getting bigger and take him in morning.

Poor little one

After sitting in A&E for 37 hours with an elderly relative who was at risk of sepsis, I think I'd go to a pharmacist or your GP.

As above, if any temp or red streaks from it I'd go straight away. If not I'd check every few hours through the night and go first thing. You'll be seen quickly as most a and es have a separate a and e for kids.

Definitely looks infected and will need antibiotics though.

No, because it's not an accident or an emergency...

Ring 111 they hopefully will direct you to an urgent care centre

My relative was 12 hours in a&e with her 5 year old as breathing difficulties. You may be in for an all nighter

Soak it in salt water for a bit and see the chemist tomorrow

Is there an out of hours pharmacist you could get to?

It’s a bit red but looks localized to his toe. I would not wake my child up over it and I wouldn’t go to a&e. If the redness started to spread beyond the toe or he had a fever I would call GP. Otherwise I’d just soak it in saltwater and apply germolene a couple of times a day. When my boys finger nail was infected gp was happy with this as well. I took regular photos so I knew how it was changing.

If no temp tonight would just go to sleep and in the morning would go to minor injuries. Would put pen around the red and see if it is tracking /

If gets worse rapidly or signs of sepsis go tonight, if not go tomorrow

@ivykaty44 this is what I mean, id rather him get a full nights rest as if I wake him he will be hysterical but then I feel guilty for leaving him if my mum (who works as a gp receptionist) says it’s infected and to go to hospital. I just didn’t think it seemed serious enough. He did have a temp of 37.7 and been sniffling but his brothers poorly with a viral indection and temp so it’s hard to know if he’s picking up a bug or if he’s poorly from his toe !!

My DD had surgery over 4 infected toes, she had these for 6 months and the GP was unconcerned. if your child is well within himself and no temp I would be tempted to wait till Monday for a gp appt for antibiotics, salt water in the meantime

I’ve lathered it in germoline and taken more pics while he’s sleeping (it’s the only way I can get a good look) so will see how it is in the morning.

No. GP Mon, email pic.

He’s 3.5 and you’ve got legal
responsibility for his health.

He doesn’t get to choose who sees his feet. You don’t get to choose to ignore an infection like that.

@Supersimkin7 she's not ignoring it she's asking for advice, what a weird post

I'd take him in the morning. They won't keep a child waiting more than a few hours. It must be really hurting him and looks like it is very infected. It definitely needs proper medical attention as soon as is practical.

Tomorrow morning get him to sit with his foot in a bowl of warm water and dettol/savlon liquid for an hour or so while he's doing something else.
Dry it gently and if it isn't looking less angry by tomorrow night make a gp appointment on Monday or go to a walk-in.

salt bath and go to a pharmacist out of hours/tomorrow

you can call 111 who can dish out antibiotics/at a pharmacy

or gone to a walk in

see your GP, this should have been sorted earlier - sorry this isnt a and e - it snt an accident or an emergancy (unless sick!)

@carly2803 yes perhaps it should have been sorted earlier but it hasn’t been red or bothering him at all until yesterday evening.

Not A&E. I woildnt bother with a pharmacy either, unless they are a pharmacist prescriber they will only be able to offer advice on if it looks infected or not, and signpost. There is nothing available over the counter really.

111 or wait until GP on Monday. If you have a minor injuries/walk in I'd possibly consider it in the morning.

My daughter had same recently, looked awful, soaked it in saltwater and put germolene on it was better next day. Would have used Dettol if available. Did keep a close eye on it and also covered it to stop it catching when moving around.

Agree about monitoring and salt water soaks. Meantime find out about any paediatric A&E near you and be prepared to call 111 if it swells more or he's obviously in pain or running a fever.

It's always more worrying at the weekend.

Thank you. Just trying to do a saltwater soak on my threenager will be interesting, he hates even having a bath !!

Going to set my alarm to check on his temp and redness in the night every 3 hrs.