Hi, just looking for a bit of advice.
I had been experiencing some minor pain on the right side of my left big toe next to the nail. About 2.5 weeks ago now I pulled back a lot of dead skin to get to where there was an open but small hole going straight down. It was very painful after this and I was hobbling around all week. Each night I would put plasters on and try and cut some of the toenail to relieve pain to little avail. The area would bleed as I exposed more skin and didn't heal over.
A week ago Friday I cut down about half of my toenail on the right side, pulling it out from under the skin. This helped immensely and I spent 3 days with little to no pain. Then I realised there was still nail stuck inside and it was very red and starting to get more painful. It bled and leaked clear fluid and began to smell and was keeping me up at night in pain, as well as making it extremely difficult to drive and wear shoes. I've been taking anti inflammatory medicine every day which I know isn't good but keeps me going.
It's been very red and sore these last few days, I sore a pharmacist on Friday, they were very busy so didn't want to ask her to have a look but she kindly told me to speak to the doctor as it could be infected and may need minor surgery?? To get the toenail out. Last night I managed to get out what I believe was the last or worst bit of remaining toenail on the sore side, and has been far less red and painful today.
I've been dressing it with plasters and a bandage to take pressure off and putting germalene on every night. It looks far less red and angry today and I hope that means it's settling down. I have attached pictures, the first was taken yesterday (Sunday night) and the second today (Monday night). Would you still contact doctors looking like the second picture, or leave it to heal? I don't know what to do! I'm not sure what they would suggest and if they'd need to see it in real life.
Thanks in advance and sorry for photos!! X