I think I have an ingrown big toenail. The skin on the one side is painful and inflamed. It has been like it for a couple of days. What should I do? Is there anything I can put on it for the inflamation to reduce?

The Answer

It sounds like you have an infection in your toe which is very painful and very tender.  You need to see your GP so they can assess the toe for signs of infection and they may need to do a minor procedure to rectify the situation or be given antibiotics.  The best thing to do is keep it clean.  Bathe it in cool boiled salted water twice or three times a day.  If you start to feel generally unwell see your GP.  Do not apply any antiseptic lotion or creams and this can make the situation worse and try not to rectify the situation yourself with nail clippers or tweezers and this can cause any infection to worsen.

Answered by the Health at Hand nurses  

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