Toe infected, again...

So my toe, same toe, is infected again.

OUCH. Red nail polish to match my red boo boo.

It hurts a lot right now, its just a big red bump next to my toe nail. I think I have an in grown toe nail problem. Not sure. Last time I went to the doctor she game me some antibiotics for it. I have another skin infection as well that hasn't quite healed. The doctor said I am prone to infections because of high bloods. I've been trying to improve my blood sugars (always trying to improve my blood sugars) but I've been incredibly stressed lately, Ive been eating WAY too much junk food and I haven't been exercising at all.

So do I go back to the doctor (a $25 copay plus the cost of my prescription) or do I attempt to treat this at home first. I know it shouldn't be about money when its about my health, but money is incredibly tight right now. I will try to treat this at home first and see if it gets any better. If it gets worse or stays the same I will for sure schedule a doctor appointment.

This is what I found regarding home treatment of an infected in grown toe nail.

• Soak the foot in warm water four times a day. You do not need to add soap, salts, or antibacterial agents to the water.
• Wash the foot, including the affected area, twice a day with soap and water. Keep the foot clean and dry during the rest of the day.
• Do not wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes. Consider wearing sandals, if possible, until the condition clears up.
• Try to lift up the corner of the nail that is digging into the skin. Take a small piece of cotton or gauze and roll it between your fingers to form a small roll or wick. Then place the roll between the nail and the skin to keep it elevated. This is painful but is the most important part of home treatment. After every soaking, try to push the roll a little farther in. Change the roll out every day. It may take from seven to 15 days for the nail to grow out so that it does not poke into the skin any longer.
• You may take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
• If you see no improvement within three days, call your doctor.

I wore high heels yesterday, I don't think that helped. :/

Infected toe on the left, healthy toe on the right.

Didn't realize my big toes curved inward so much, kind of silly looking. :-)

Do not rely on my blog post as medical advice. I found this information from a website and every website I came across said a diabetic should schedule a doctors appointment. Since I am in generally good health I am going to try to treat this at home first, but I am not a doctor, and you should always follow what your doctor has prescribed for you.