
A toe can get infected due a number of reasons. It is painful and should be treated soon. For information on infected toe treatment, read the article below.
A toe can get infected due to a lot of different reasons like fungus in the nail, ingrown nails, or due to cuts and wounds. Other than these reasons, the causes include poor foot hygiene as well as wearing tight shoes. Whatever the reason, this condition can be very painful and uncomfortable. Most of the time, the reason is fungus, and when the fungus spreads, the pain is terrible. The symptoms include pain and swelling around the infected area. In some cases, the nails may become very brittle and may also discolor. Depending on the severity of the infection, the person may also find it difficult to walk. Hence, infected toe treatment must take place on time.
Cuts
If the toes are hurt in any way or if there are any cuts, then those should be treated without delay. Cuts, if left untreated, can start off an infection, and hence, they should never be left open. If it gets infected anyway, the treatment in this case would be to wash the toes clean and dress up the wounds. A visit to the doctor to stop further spread of infection is also recommended. Always keep the wound clean and bandaged.
Ingrown nails
One of the painful causes, a person is said to be suffering from ingrown toenails when the sides of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. The nail starts cutting into the skin and the toe gets infected. Soaking the feet into hot water with Epsom salts for about 20 minutes will help for further treatment. The next step is to gently file off the excessive nail with the help of a filer. Now, this step needs to be handled with care, as this can be very painful. Apply some antibiotic cream over the nail so that it doesn’t infect further. For best results, soak the feet in hot water and salt, thrice a day.
Nail Discoloration
There are several reasons for the discoloration of the nails too. When the nail becomes black, it is usually a sign of blood accumulating under the nail. This condition should heal itself in sometime, and it may not be painful too. However, if the blood does not flow out, then, visiting a doctor could become necessary. The doctor may drill a hole to let out the blood. Nail is also discolored when it becomes yellow. This could be due to fungal infection (discussed below) or due to continuous use of nail polish. Bleaching agents should help to get rid of the yellow color.
Fungus
It is a very common problem, and it happens due to an organism that grows in moist and dark regions. It is a kind of yeast infection and can become very painful, as it starts spreading. It is more common in humid and damp seasons. In order to ensure that the fungus does not spread, some simple home remedies, like apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, olive oil, and lavender oil will help to get rid of the fungus. Keeping the feet clean and wearing clean cotton socks everyday are other ways to treat this condition and avoid spreading the infection. However, if the condition has become severe, then application of topical creams and other such medications, and in worst cases, laser treatments and surgeries could be recommended.
Brittle Nails
Nails could become brittle due to malnutrition, dryness, and due to improper blood circulation. Brittle nails are easily broken, and the toe is exposed to different infections. In such cases, the doctor’s advice is recommended, as he/she would be able to decide the right course of treatment. However, getting a pedicure done and massaging the legs will improve the blood circulation in the nails. Also, there are plenty of creams available in the market, which will help in strengthening the nails.
Nail Loss
Due to a bad accident, the nail might come off. In such cases, the nail should be taken off completely by going to the doctor to enable the growth of a new nail. However, complete nail care and foot care should be taken in such conditions, like keeping the place dry and free of infection.
In order to prevent the toes from being infected, there are some pointers that need to the followed.
- Shoes of the right size need to be selected.
- Always keep the toe area clean and dry.
- Do not allow sweat and dirt to get accumulated in the nails.
- Use a good foot cream every night to keep the area moisturized.
- Get a regular foot massage and pedicure to ensure proper blood circulation in the feet.
- As far as possible do not wear any shoes at home so that your feet also get to breathe.
Remember that foot problems can be minimized by keeping your feet clean and dry. It is easy to treat infected toes; ensure that you treat them in time before they become worse.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.