I’ve had this ingrown toenail for about two weeks now. Usually when I get one, it works itself out after a week or so. This one oozes pus if I squeeze it, which I have had before. The thing that has me wondering if I should go to the doctor is the skin underneath the toe is turning black. And now the skin on the outside of the toe has a small black spot. I’ve been soaking it in hydrogen peroxide. I don’t want to go to the doctor for something stupid that I can fix at home.
Yes, you should go. This is beyond home remedies IMHO. Toe tuning black = NOT GOOD.
I suggest you go to a podiatrist, 'cause that’s what I did when I had a badly ingrown toenail. But then I’m old and on Medicare so I can go to any doc, even a specialist.
I don’t understand this statement. Are you afraid the doctor will call you a wimp and make fun of you? Is it the expense? (That sort of makes sense.)
What you don’t EVER want to hear a doctor say is, “IF ONLY you had come in sooner.” You might already be at that stage.
No, no, no-- no doc is going to say that to a toe that is turning black.
Consider this: usually doctors and others who deal with potential emergencies (police, EMTs, firefighters) are happy and relieved when something turns out not to be an emergency. They don’t want to deal with a crisis. They would rather catch a thing before it becomes an emergency.
FTR, my late husband had to have his black toe amputated. Unlike your toe, his was almost totally black. We were away from home and should have immediately come back and gone to the doctor, but we delayed a few days. Now THAT was stupid.
How on earth are you walking with your toe like that? I had the edges of my large toe nails cut down to the bottom and the area cauterized so they wouldn’t grow back.
Oh it hurts like crazy! I have to sleep with my foot outside the covers because the blanket feels like sandpaper. I work though and I can’t have open-toed shoes so I’ve been downing extra strength tylenol hoping to wait it out.
I’ve never been tested for diabetes. When I see my doctor on Monday I won’t be surprised if she wants me to get tested. I’m carrying a good extra 30 lbs.
IANAD but hydrogen peroxide can really damage already-damaged tissue. If you feel the need to soak, some mild salt water might be the best thing. If your toe gets way blacker before Monday go to the ER or a Doc-in-a-Box.
That does not look good at all. Is there any chance you have an Urgent Care Center nearby? They might be able to start you on antibiotics tonight or tomorrow, giving you a head start before you see the podiatrist on Monday. It would also ease the pain some.