Gals,
My daughter has a big, red, swollen infected toe, which undoubtedly was caused at the nail salon.
I don't take her to nail salons per se, precisely for these reasons. It was for a girlfriend's birthday.
I am comfortable treating the nail at home with hot, salty water soaks, and alcohol swabs, etc.
My question is though, how long will it take to heal, with that sort of treatment plan?
She needs it to heal as quick as possible, as she has a huge figure skating competition next weekend, and if her toe does not improve, and if it became worse, and it would be painful to squeeze into her boot and then skate, she would miss a huge opportunity.
Wow gals, thanks so much!!!
Can you tell my MD hubs is out of town? So I ask you instead.
And I did just call the Dr.'s office, but they are closing and referred me immediately to the after hours Health Link to speak to a nurse.
You all are right, the toe needs immediate care.
Yikes, can you tell my mom was a nurse, and never took us to a doctor? I hate to push that panic button.
And the intake nurse at the referral office asked for the nail salon details. This was more involved than I thought.
Toes are hard to heal. My dd had an infected ingrown toenail and her doctor totally recommended antibiotics along with the soaking, etc. The problem is they have to wear shoes and the infected area never really gets to air out and heal.
Doctor, immediately. Don't treat it yourself. Your treatments only affect the skin -- this "big, red, swollen" infection sounds like it is inside her toe! Re-read the post from the nurse talking about the infection spreading to the bone.
Report this salon now. Don't wait. Call the county or city health department and explain why you're calling, and ask them to direct you to the correct office to make your complaint. They may refer you to an online procedure. But file a complaint and do it now, and ask if the health department plans to do a surprise inspection of this nasty facility. It's a duty to report this, to protect others from suffering like your daughter is suffering.
Not to scare you, but don't take this lightly.
Take her to the Dr., you don't want an infection that progresses so much that it could get into the bone. Yes, it can happen. I am an IV specialist in Home Care. You wouldn't believe the number of people who have to have IV antibiotics for infections and I occasionally see repeated treatment, for recurrence and once in the bone, it is a nightmare to clear up. It can cause life long problems. I have seen at least 3 patients in past 6 months that had to have amputations of lower leg because of infection in the foot. She needs to be off her foot.
Untreated, she could become septic and hospitalized, a very dangerous situation.
Treat it yourself? I don't think so. She should have been to the doctor already. Would not be worrying about a figure skating competition now!
I would take her to the Dr. if it is infected, then antibiotics might be the route to take.
You can report it to your local Heath Department.
Take a photo of her toe.
Document it.
Tell the Salon.
Take her to the Doctor to further document it.
I would be aware of staph infections or any infection.... and take her to the Doctor AND to get it PROPERLY diagnosed.
She may even need an oral antibiotic.
Take her to the Doctor now.
So that, proper treatment of it can be done.
And hopefully in time for her skating competition.
AND you'd need to ask the Doctor that, IF she can compete.
Seriously? Get your daughter to the doctor!!!!
Probably she has a spike of nail left in the side of her toe, that the stupid pedicurist left in there. So even if you get her antibiotics, if that spike of nail is still there then it will set up a new infection until that spike grows out or is removed. I would take her to a podiatrist, who can prescribe antibiotics and also locate and remove the spike.
This is the reason I NEVER will set foot in a pedicurists office. As a podiatrist for 11 years, I can tell you that most of them do not have the skills to treat those sharp teenage nails
Hi. I am not a doctor...but I will share what I was told to do with an infection:
1. If fungal...put on I think it is called lomitrim in the U.S.
2. If bacterial...put on neosporin and wrap it in a band-aid. keep doing this I believe.
alternatively...as your daughter competes...if it were my daughter, i might bring her to the coach or the doctor to take a look as well.
best of luck.
Take her to the doctor. I used to skate and it was painful when I had a blister, so an infected toe could cause her to not place where she wants. I don't know what level she is competing or how important this one is, but remember when it comes to figure skating clean edges, sharp landings etc matter. Example: If her jump requires landing on an outside edge and she can't b/c her toe hurts, she will lose points.
Also it could be more serious than a simple infection and require antibiotics.
Better safe than sorry.
Good luck to her!!! Man, I miss skating :)
Honestly I'd just run her to the doctor or a minute clinic somewhere and get a quick antibiotic. Just in case. Why not? If it is staph, it'll only get worse, and then she'll definitely miss the competition. But it might take a few days to realize that.
If it's not, it'll heal at it's normal progress anyway.
ETA: I'd say she should be seeing solid improvement by early next week.
Since she needs her toe to be 100% next week she needs to get prescription strength treatment now so it will be completely gone by the weekend.
It'll probably take about a week in WARM (not hot) saltwater soaks. 1 teaspoon full of salt per 8oz of water, no more.
Do not use alcohol swabs on wounds. Alcohol impedes cellular regrowth.
