What does it mean when your toe is swollen and has pus?
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What does it mean when your toe is swollen and has pus?
Paronychia (pahr-uh-NIK-ee-uh) is an infection of the skin around a fingernail or toenail. The infected area can become swollen, red, and painful, and a pus-filled blister (abscess) may form. Most of the time, paronychia is not serious and can be treated at home.
How do you reduce swelling on an infected toe?
How to treat an infected ingrown toenail
- Soak your foot in warm water and Epsom salt or coarse salt to soften the area.
- Apply antibiotic or antifungal lotion directly to the nail and to the skin under and around the nail.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication to help reduce symptoms, such as discomfort and swelling.
What kills a toe infection?
Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus that grows on toenails. You can directly wipe hydrogen peroxide on your infected toes or toenails with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in a foot soak.
How do you wrap an infected toe?
Soak the toe for about 15 minutes in a bathtub or bucket filled with warm water and salt. Do this three to four times a day. Rub a medicated ointment on the toe and wrap it in a clean bandage.
How long does a toe infection last?
Both types have similar signs and symptoms: Acute paronychia: Symptoms of acute paronychia appear over hours or a few days. The infection is only in the nail fold and doesn’t extend deeper inside the finger or toe. Symptoms go away with treatment and last less than six weeks.
What is best to soak an infected toe in?
Soak your toe in a warm foot bath with unscented Epsom salt. Soaking your ingrown or infected toe will help relieve the pain and pressure of an infection. It can also help to draw out pus from your toe. Keep your feet dry, unless you’re soaking them for treatment.