Infected toenail? PICTURE ALERT

[2025upcoming]

My big toenails often go black as I am a runner.
Had an event yesterday and really stubbed it and it was throbbing the rest of the way round.

Cut it down last night (probably too short!!) and as I cut it, loads of clear fluid started coming out.

This morning it's red around it, and I can barely stand on it (sounds dramatic but true haha) and it's throbbing.
If I touch it, clear fluid comes out.

Any ideas? Would you say it's infected and I need to go to GP?

(Have been salt water & Savlon)

Ouch, get this moved to Sporners Corner where people may be able to offer help, while really enjoying it.
As a minimum OP make sure no red is tracking up your foot, any chance of a GP appointment in the next day or so?

From personal experience most infected toes do not need antibiotics, just twice daily salt baths and good drainage.

Hydrogen peroxide from the chemist diluted as it says on bottle and stick your toe in it. It will fizz which is the bacteria oxidising and dying and hey presto it'll clear up. You may need to do this a few times. Runner here too with periodic manky big toes.

Thank you!

This stuff?

amzn.eu/d/iIyEali

Yes I think that's it. Just read the instructions x

ooh, that looks bad.

Very high concentrated slat water bath, at least 3-5 times a day may save your toe. You may need antibiotics though.

I think you're right, I had this problem, 3 courses of AB did not solve it, they nearly had to remove the toe 😬 but a week of salt water baths sorted it

I would never have through that something so simple as salt would make such a huge impact. It does, start now OP

Save my toe

Now on salt bath 3 of the day - here is is fresh out of the bath. It's so heavy, feels like it's going to fall off

Fresh

I don't think it's a GP thing but you could go to a podiatrist/chiropodist if you're concerned. If there is infection underneath they may whip the nail off.

Might be worth doing anyway if you are often getting damaged nails through running - ultimately that damage could add up.

I had something like this but mine was oozing a little pus . I was advised to get Hibiclens from Boots . Washed my toe twice daily and it cleared up within a week . I use it once a week now to keep my toes extra clean . I also used the salt water wash .

My son had a nail that looked exactly like this. We did the whole salt baths thing but the only thing that really worked was antibiotics from the doctors. My dh has toes that are the same shape and it seems to be something both he and Ds are prone to - dh had his toenail removed completely in the end.

Thanks all

I went to see the pharmacist as it started oozing watery blood.
She advised salt bath and antiseptic cream.
Said it didn't look infected yet but it if starts pussing it will need antibiotics.

So will keep my eye on it and keep salt bathing.

Typical when I have a half marathon in 3 weeks!