Can an ingrown toenail turn into gangrene?
The biggest risk of an ingrown toenail is that it may become infected. An infection can lead to a condition called gangrene, in which tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply. In severe cases, gangrene can even lead to amputation. Fortunately, gangrene is not very common.
How do you know if a toe infection has spread?
If your toe is infected, you’ll probably have one or more of these symptoms:
- pain.
- pressure.
- redness or change in skin color.
- swelling.
- oozing.
- a bad smell.
- feeling hot to the touch.
- a visible break in the skin.
Can you lose your toe from an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails left untreated usually cause a lot of pain, can get infected and, in the worst situations, can actually lead to bone infections and loss of the toe.
Can you get sepsis from an ingrown toenail?
Even a particularly bad ingrown toenail that becomes infected can lead to sepsis, he says, although that is not a common occurrence.
What are the symptoms of gangrene in foot?
General symptoms of gangrene include:
- initial redness and swelling.
- either a loss of sensation or severe pain in the affected area.
- sores or blisters that bleed or release a dirty-looking or foul-smelling discharge (if the gangrene is caused by an infection)
- the skin becoming cold and pale.
Can a gangrene toe fall off?
It can occur after injury or infection and is also often associated with diabetes and long-term smoking. If left untreated, the affected part will eventually fall off at the line where dead and living tissue meet. Treatments for gangrene are determined by the location and extent of the damage.
What does a septic toe look like?
You might have an infected toe if you notice: Redness. Soreness or pain. A pus-filled blister, or pus that drains from your toe.
Can you get sepsis from infected toe?
Should I go to the ER for an ingrown toenail?
SEE A DOCTOR: If you have any worrisome symptoms like unbearable pain, unusual swelling, pus, odor, or warmth in the affected toe and its surrounding area, have a doctor take a look. An emergency room can remove ingrown toenails if necessary.
How do you drain pus from an ingrown toenail?
Soak your foot in warm water and Epsom salt or coarse salt to soften the area. This will help the pus to drain out and reduce pain. Apply antibiotic or antifungal lotion directly to the nail and to the skin under and around the nail.
What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenail An ingrown toenail may cause pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection around the toenail.
What are the signs and symptoms of Foot gangrene?
Symptoms of foot gangrene vary depending on the location and cause of the gangrene. Pain and swelling may be localized to the toe, foot, or the entire leg, or it may be generalized, involving the whole body. Gangrene in a wound is often characterized by:
How to tell if you have a toe infection?
Experience severe discomfort in your toe or pus or redness that seems to be spreading Have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet and you experience any foot sore or infection Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Can you get a staph infection from an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenail infections risks. You can get either a fungal or bacterial infection in an ingrown toenail. For example, MRSA, a drug-resistant staph infection, lives on skin and can cause infection to occur.