# Medical question: toe (slightly yucky) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 31, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676 "2019-12-31T17:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/1 "2019-12-31T17:10:13Z")
Hi! If one of my toes (my middle toe) is red, itchy, and a little swollen, and has been for about a week, should I see a dermatologist or a podiatrist? I was hoping it would just go away, but no luck. As far as I know, I haven’t done anything to damage it (dropped anything on it, ran into any furniture). ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/2 "2019-12-31T17:30:47Z")
Personally, I’d just go to my GP. If I actually do have something rare and tricky to treat, she can send me on to the other appropriate specialist in her group practice (or elsewhere) and it its the more likely bog-standard rash/irritation/infection, she’s perfectly able to prescribe whatever is needed. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/3 "2019-12-31T18:48:27Z")
If it were me, I’d try a cortisone cream and see if that fixed it first. Then I’d go to the GP. And I’ll lay good odds that the GP will give you a script for a cortisone cream… ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/4 "2019-12-31T18:50:46Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I was hoping it would just go away, but no luck. But it’s quite difficult to walk with only four toes. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/5 "2019-12-31T19:12:42Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But it’s quite difficult to walk with only four toes. 🙂 OK, I’ll try the cortisone cream first. ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/6 "2020-01-01T02:37:11Z")
It could be a chillblain > **[Chilblains on Fingers, Toes, and Feet: Causes, Pictures, Treatment](https://www.healthline.com/health/chilblains)** > > Chilblains are a painful skin condition that happens after your skin has been exposed to unusually cold, damp weather. We’ll walk you through why doctors think this happens and go over treatment options. Learn which factors might increase your risk... ---
**Author:** ![albino\_manatee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/albino_manatee/32/2_2.png) [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/7 "2020-01-01T12:35:52Z")
might be something inside your shoes … or perhaps they are new shoes/socks … try wearing sandals for a week. additionally, sandals allow for a much better environment … shoes harbor closed region … where irritants and fungi can fester 'n grow 'n multiply … sandals offer a lot more breathing room. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-question-toe-slightly-yucky/845676/8 "2020-01-01T13:48:34Z")
I doubt it’s a chilblain since it hasn’t been all that cold here on the East Coast. Could be a new shoe thing, but I mostly walk around barefoot or with clean socks in the house. I rarely wear shoes without socks. So far, the cortisone cream has had no effect, but I’ll keep applying it.