# Health Question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-question/68890>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 15, 2001, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-question/68890 "2001-06-15T04:36:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LORDWORM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LORDWORM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LORDWORM)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-question/68890/1 "2001-06-15T04:36:16Z")

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ok maybe this is going to sound rediculous but…i have a great imagination.

i have a red puffy rash on my two big toes and a patch on the top of my left foot. It has been there for months, and i have done nothing for it. yesterday my dad told me that a friend of his had a rash on his toe and had to have the toe amputated, and to go to the doctor the next day. that really freaked me out, so i scheduled an apointment for the doctor.

my questions:

1. Is it normal for a rash on your foot to be present for MONTHS if it is untreated.

2. Is having an amputation over a foot rash acually a common thing in America?

3. Could it be THAT serious, and need further treatment besides a topical cream?

thanx im sure i sound very stupid, but it just really freaked me out to think of a foot amputation. all replies are appreciated, hopefully it will make me feel better.  
THNX  
LW

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**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2001, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-question/68890/2 "2001-06-15T05:45:07Z")

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Go to a dermatologist. Then you will be at ease. I had a weird looking thing on my face. I went to the doctor. It was removed and it was nothing.  
Most importantly, I felt better.