Last night my 2 toe became inflamed and swollen and painful with a small abscess. I went to the podiatrist- she clipped it etc. She said to soak it 2x per day in epsom salts and put antibiotic ointment on with a toe sock bandage. My new sneakers are apparently too short for my toes an I clipped the nail too short. I used to get this a long time ago, but since having a nail surgery on a big toe it hasn't happened again.
She didn't want to put me on oral antibiotic but I said I want them, which is good because it's still a bit painful/swollen etc.
Does this sound like good treatment to you? Have you treated this before? Is there anything else I should do? My bg is ok overall, but yesterday it was bouncing all over and then went a bit higher than normal for a while so I wonder if it was the infection causing it.
She said to come back if it doesn't completely clear up in a week.
Keep a close eye on it, it should be getting a little better each day...if not seek more medical help. Don't stop taking care of it until it is completely cleared up...JMHO
I have ingrown toenail problems. It is inherited, my mother had her big toenails removed to deal with it. My problem is that my toenails are very thick and if not cut straight across and kept long, they will curl and dig in. While your podiatrist may have cut your nails to deal with your current problem, often the profile that they use to cut your nails deals with the current problem but isn't the profile that you should use to maintain your nails. He should have given you a plan to follow up to make sure your nails grow out and are kept at a length and profile to reduce/eliminate future problems. And I agree with JohnG, keep on top of this until you are really comfortable that there is no pain and swelling.
I've never had a toe infection, but years ago when I was on MDI and my control was worse (A1c around 8-9%) my fingernail got infected twice (different nails each time). The first time the doctor prescribed antibiotics and it took a while but eventually went away. The second time I was prescribed antibiotics which did nothing. Got another type of antibiotics, as well as a doctor who *attempted* to drain it and ended up just gouging my finger, which also did nothing. Third time I went to a walk-in clinic to get another opinion and the doctor said to just soak it in really hot, soapy water several times a day and keep it clean. Within literally two days it was vastly improved, and within a week the infection was completely gone. A few years ago another finger felt like it might be going in the same direction (swollen, painful, hot) and I decided to try soaking it a few days before even going to the doctor, and it cleared up completely.
Of course, toes and feet are different, so I would definitely go back and/or get another opinion if it doesn't seem to be healing, but that's my experience.
When I woke up and soaked it etc., it seems like it is a lot better- less swelling and it's not painful now. So I'm assuming this on the mend, but I will be keeping a close eye on it. I think the oral antibiotic is a good idea and is what turned the tide although it is doing a worse number on my stomach than usual. I guess swimming at the beach is not a good idea till this clears up completely probably.
Brian, I have been told by different podiatrists different things to do and they all disagree with each other- one told me to cut the nail straight across, the other told me to cut it curved. This time I cut it curved and definitely too short so I'm going to stop doing that and I bought a new pair of sneakers also. I will call the office and ask what they recommend. She mentioned they don't usually do surgery on smaller toe nails but I may opt for that so I don't have to worry about another infection again. Since I had the big toe done, he just removed the side of the nail I haven't had another infection.
What do you do in terms of clipping? Does it help?
