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Original poster

What to do?

19 replies

MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 11:14

DD 8yrs has a red, slightly swollen big toe. It looks pretty grim although its not painful for her to walk although it is if you touch it. It feels warm to touch compared to the other foot. Now I am assuming it might be infected although there is no obvious injury that I can see. I think tomorrow when it comes to going to school she may have a problem with wearing her shoes. Would it be OTT to take her to minor injuries or should I see how it goes and go to Doctors tomorrow? Many thanks for any opinions.

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Spidermama · 08/06/2008 11:23

Can she wear open toed sandals to school then go to the doc straight after?

Otherwise I would see how she feels and maybe take her to the doc first thing and take her to school after.

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 11:35

They are not allowed to wear open toe sandals although I would expect them to make an exception for a one off. I will get her to try them on and see if she can wear them, thanks Spidermama.

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notnowbernard · 08/06/2008 11:39

dd1 had this a while back

I believe people call it a 'whitler' or a 'whitlow' (??)

Anyway, it ended up infected and she had to have ABs. Became very red, swollen and painful. Eventually came to a 'head' and burst (ewww!) but this brought with it great relief for dd1... she was in agony. I'd get it checked if I were you

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 08/06/2008 11:47

It could be an ingrown toenail. I never used to get pain walking when I had them, but if I hardly touched the side of the toe it would have me climbing the walls.

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 11:49

Thanks notnowbernard. Will definately get it checked but not sure whether to take her today? I would hate to over react but also don't want it to get worse in the next 24 hrs. DH is typically playing golf so have no other adult to bounce it off. I know it's not urgent as such but I appreciate other mums opinions. We do have a minor injuries in our town so it would not be too out of the way.

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Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 11:51

The nail thing is a possibility as it looks like the nail has snapped off really low but I can't locate the edge of the nail at the side.

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getbackinyouryurtjimjams · 08/06/2008 11:55

I had it recently. My Mum's a nurse so I grabbed a sterile needle from her and burst it. Because I was at a conference and on my feet all day I then had to keep it covered which was a mistake and it all got in a horrible mess.

It's the sort of thing a practice nurse should be able to deal with (I would assume).

notnowbernard · 08/06/2008 11:56

Minor injuries sounds ok, I reckon

FWIW the pain came on badly really suddenly for dd. It kept her awake A LOT the night before it 'burst'. I was giving her Calpol and Ibuprofen at the same time as well as having started the ABs that day and it wasn't touching it

So I would get it looked at before it gets to that point, IYKWIM

loopylou6 · 08/06/2008 12:03

Id take her to be on the safe side. I had them symtoms, but in all of my foot, i went the out of hours and it was celluitus which needed immediate medication

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 12:07

Thank you very much for you replies. When DH gets back will take her I think.

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loopylou6 · 08/06/2008 12:13

Let us know how you get on

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 12:17

Thanks, will do.

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Tiggiwinkle · 08/06/2008 12:17

One of my DSs had in ingrown toenail last year. He had repeated course of ABs but ended up having to have surgery, removing both sides of the toenail. They are most common in the big toe and quite common in children apparently. He has now developed one on the other big toe and is having treament again. There is a specialist walk-in clinic here for ingrowing toenails.

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 16:21

Hello. Back from minor injuries. It turns out she has Whitlow. They think the infection came from a grain of sand or something that has now gone nasty. They put magnesium sulphate on it and have bandaged it up. So she will have to wear flip flops to school. I hope there is not a health and safety reason why she can't go to school in flip flops. . We have to go back on Tuesday so they can put in a needle to get the goo out. I am so glad we went. Thanks for the advice everyone.

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Nbg · 08/06/2008 16:25

This happened to me when I was younger.
It was a splinter that went down the side of my thumb nail.

I will warn you that the needle to get the goo out is not a very nice experience so you may/maynot want to warn your dd about it.
But be prepared!

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 16:28

Really? The nurse emphasised how it wont hurt at all because the skin will be dead. maybe she was being kind so as not to worry DD (or me)?

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Nbg · 08/06/2008 17:17

Well I hope that is the case for her.

Mine certainly wasn't!

Just thought you'd better know.

notnowbernard · 08/06/2008 19:13

Glad you got it sorted

Hope she's ok

Original poster
MegGriffin · 08/06/2008 20:45

Thanks for the warning Nbg and I will definately keep it to myself or I will never get her back there!
Thanks notnowbernard. Glad its not going to be raining tomorrow or would have had a problem with flip flops.

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