Hello,
I am 47 and 3.5 yrs post infection. Sat night I accidentally picked at my cuticle on my big toe and as soon as I realized what I did I cleaned it well, washed it with antiseptic and used polysporin. Yesterday it was pink around the nail and a little beyond. My pcp was closed so I went to a walk in NP at Walgreens. She believes it may be paronychia and prescribed topical Mupirocin 2% for 7 days and instructed me to do epsom salt soak on my toe. She also suggested I see a podiatrist. I'm seeing one in 30 min. It isn't very tender and I do not see anything that resembles pus. However, I am scared she may want to give me oral abx. IF I HAVE to have them is Doxcycline less of a risk? I read about the topical Mupirocin is but the Walgreens insert had a blanked statement about CDAD and I am nervous. The pharmacist didn't believe the ointment should be a problem.
Possible paronychia
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Re: Possible paronychia
Welcome to the Joy's of getting older!
If you keep rushing for medical advice for every minor (this is VERY minor) ailment your going to have a very anxious life!
This sounds like one of those things that resolve in a week if you leave it or 7 days if you treat it!
IF you go to a Dr/nurse/pharmacist they know your expecting some type of treatment, a good Dr will often say the best treatment is NO TREATMENT but most will still pander to your expectations and send you away with pills or potions that you dont need.
IF the toe becomes obviously infected you might need treating but almost certainly it wont.
Recently I had a growth removed from my hand, 30 stitches, also a fingernail removed.
Not once did the Dr mention antibiotics even though a couple of the stitches became infected and it's all healed fine.
Treatment is only needed if your body cant repair itself.
If you keep rushing for medical advice for every minor (this is VERY minor) ailment your going to have a very anxious life!
This sounds like one of those things that resolve in a week if you leave it or 7 days if you treat it!
IF you go to a Dr/nurse/pharmacist they know your expecting some type of treatment, a good Dr will often say the best treatment is NO TREATMENT but most will still pander to your expectations and send you away with pills or potions that you dont need.
IF the toe becomes obviously infected you might need treating but almost certainly it wont.
Recently I had a growth removed from my hand, 30 stitches, also a fingernail removed.
Not once did the Dr mention antibiotics even though a couple of the stitches became infected and it's all healed fine.
Treatment is only needed if your body cant repair itself.
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Re: Possible paronychia
Saw the podiatrist and she said she does not think it is paronychia but does believe there is an infection. She gave me topical Gentamicin 1% to use 2x day for a week. Has anyone used Gentamicin without problems?
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Re: Possible paronychia
Anxious,
That is a medical question. I used Gentamycin several times as a nasal rinse without a problem and I am susceptibile to c diff (3 bouts).
Best of luck. Let us know what happens.
That is a medical question. I used Gentamycin several times as a nasal rinse without a problem and I am susceptibile to c diff (3 bouts).
Best of luck. Let us know what happens.
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Re: Possible paronychia
Thank you!
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Re: Possible paronychia
Gentamycin is one of the low offenders and used topically don't think will put you at risk.
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Re: Possible paronychia
My mother passed away from complications from diabetes and up till then had 2 toes amputated. She had become allergic to almost all antibiotics, hives, throat swell, you name it. Soak your toe in a warm bowl of epsom salt. We saved 2 of my moms toes doing that at the advice of her specialist after she’d Knick one with clippers or on a heat vent and not feel the pain from infection. I have a certain pair of dress shoes that cause a toe nail to be ingrown and it fixes it every time.
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Re: Possible paronychia
Hi all,
Thank you! The topical Gentamicin worked and when I went for my follow up the doctor was pleased with it. Thank you!
Thank you! The topical Gentamicin worked and when I went for my follow up the doctor was pleased with it. Thank you!
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Re: Possible paronychia
Glad it worked.
Best wishes.
Best wishes.
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Re: Possible paronychia
Thank you, Bobbie!
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Re: Possible paronychia
Congrats. Celebrate!!
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Re: Possible paronychia
Funny how things work. I dug an ingrown nail out of infected toe last night and have been using Neosporin which hopefully isn’t a concern? Glad it worked for you! Toes are the worst, especially when you wear dress shoes 12hrs a day.
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Re: Possible paronychia
Neosporin should not be a concern. Hope it has healed!
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Re: Possible paronychia
It’s getting there. I was in Virginia and out of network so I scheduled an appointment back home with a podiatrist for tomorrow. I couldn’t take the pain anymore and did self surgery and dug out a piece of ingrown nail the size of a gold nugget.....instant relief! It’s slowly healing with the help of epsom salt and peroxide and saved me a few hundred dollars.
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