Don't know what to do about my toe

[StrawberryChocolateCake]

Guys, advice needed please.

I'm at a loss with my toe (picture attached - taken just now).

I've had IV antibiotics (was in hospital for surgery), then came out and my toe was still like this. It got better, then worse again. So I saw the AMP at the GP's - gave Flucloxacillin. Toe got better, then back to this. Then I saw a different doctor, she scheduled an appointment to have my bloods taken. On the day of my bloods, I spoke to a different doctor on the phone. She said referral to podiatrist and prescribed another round of Flucloxacillin. Didn't seem to do as much that time. The bloods have apparently shown no infection (but the doctor wants them repeating in 6 weeks time for something else, along with iron and B12?!) but 5 days later this is my toe. I rang the docs today to chase up my referral and it hasn't been sent yet. Apparently being typed up today or tomorrow.

Will someone please tell me what to do, because I just don't know. I have an appointment booked at an out of hours surgery on Saturday but I don't want to wait until then when this is my toe at the end of the day. Do I try and get an on the day appointment tomorrow to be seen? The trouble is they are just over the phone!! I'm back to work after my surgery a week tomorrow and was hoping to have it sorted by then but not happening 😭

Thank you if you read this far!

Looks like retronychia. Nail might need removing under LA. Not pleasant but not as bad as it sounds either. Consider private podiatrist consultation.

Soak it in hot salty water for 10-15 mins twice a day until you can see a dr.

Does the nail grow back? 😳

Does it have to be a certain kind of salt?

Yes, the nail grows back as long as it's not phenolised (chemically treated). Without the chemical, it also heals very quickly. Not much down time required for anything other than say swimming. And agree with above re salt water in the interim to keep the bacterial load down. 5 mins max at a time with handful of salt.

@StrawberryChocolateCake Just normal table salt will do.

Thank you both @MagratsDanglyCharms21 and @elevenplusdilemma I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post with advice.