Pregnant, Infected toe from ingrown toenail, What can I do?

Question

I'm pregnant, and have been dealing with in grown toe nails this past year due to nail fugus (I groom dogs and am always wet in my shoes!!!). I have been able to lift nail out and cut it every few weeks successfully, but the time before this, I got an infection in my right toe and was able to heal it at home by soaking and drawing out infection/pus. This time, it is on my other toe and it is continuing to swell. I can not get the pus to drain out, I've been soaking it and puting on triple antibiotics. I am nervous to go to doctor because due to pregnancy, is it ok for them to numb it? i would like to just have portion or all of nail removed before infection spreads. Should I be calling into work tomorrow, and following days -- will it worsen as I stand on it?

It hurts waaaaay to much to push on it :(
Like, if they cant use anything to numb my toe if I go into the doctor, I will probably scream if they touch it.

Answer 1

You should absolutely go see your doctor. Do you think the doctor won't know what is safe when you are pregnant? From the sounds of it you might need oral antibiotics (by the way, the triple thing is a scam and contributes to development of antibiotic resistance... ), and there is one that is safe, your doc will know which, I think it's amoxycillin.

Answer 2

If you have already tried soaking the foot in epson salts, you could try soaking the foot in 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and hot water for a few minutes. Air dry and leave open to air, no socks, and elevate foot while you sleep. DO NOT attempt to open the wound as this may make infection worse by introducing new bacteria. Remember you shouldn't take anything other than tylenol for pain and fever in pregnancey. There are several safe antibiotics and pain meds that can be prescribed by MD.

Answer 3

Medicine to numb it shouldnt harm your baby. I had an infected pilonidal cyst on my tailbone that had to be lanced and drained when I was almost 4 months pregnant. They numbed the area before they drained it and my baby was born happy and healthy. Ask the doctor if you could have the nail removed while you're pregnant and if it would be safe for the baby if they numbed it. If you go back to work, wear plastic baggies over your toes to prevent wetness from seeping in. I know this sounds silly, but you could put empty bread bags over your feet and cinch them around your calf with a rubber band. That should prevent wetness from entering. My husbands mom did this with each of her five kids when they went outside to play in the snow and they always came back in with warm dry feet.

Answer 4

You should try to push the puss out with your finger and if you have a foot spa, fill it with water and sea salt, you can get that in the ethnic aisle in your grocery store, it will heal it and make it feel much better. You need to make sure that you thoroughly clean it out when you are done though or else, when you use it again you will get your old infection.

Answer 5

you eff ould go to the doctor if they know your pregnant they aren't na give you something or anything thats gonna hurt the baby...Try also a cup or bol of warm water and anti bacerial dish soap soak your toe in the water

Answer 6

You should go see a doctor; they will know exactly what to do.

Definitely call in sick, as you shouldn't be on your feet with this infection in your condition.

Answer 7

You need to see a doctor...ANY infections you get go through your entire system...and that pregnancy you are carrying is dependent upon your HEALTHY system to keep IT healthy...if you're not healthy neither is your pregnancy...