Toes can experience infections ranging from mild, such as those caused by an ingrown toenail or fungus, to serious infections of the skin (abscess or cellulitis). Infections in the toes can even become more serious and lead to infections in the joints or bones. While infections on the surface of the toes are usually mild and can be easily treated at home, serious infections require medical attention. Instead, learn to distinguish between the two types of infection because a serious infection should be checked by a doctor so that it does not get worse or spread.
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Method 1 of 3: Checking for Infections in Toes
Step 1. Observe the symptoms
Sometimes, you may find it difficult to distinguish an infection that occurs in your toes, whether it is serious or not. The infection can be mild as a result of the nail sticking in, or serious and can spread throughout the body. To be able to tell the difference between the two, pay attention to the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Signs and symptoms of a mild infection include: tenderness and/or sensitivity to pain, swelling, redness, and warm skin.
- Signs and symptoms of a more serious infection include: discharge of pus, formation of red streaks that radiate from the wound, and fever.
Step 2. Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms of a serious infection
Again, these symptoms include discharge of pus, formation of red streaks from the wound, or fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for advice.
Serious infections can spread from the toes to the rest of the body. A really severe infection can even cause your body to go into shock and endanger safety. Because the impact is so serious, you should immediately get a serious infection checked by medical personnel
Step 3. Determine if the infection on the surface of the toe can be treated at home
If you are not experiencing any serious symptoms, and are just feeling a little uncomfortable, you may be able to treat the infection yourself at home. As with any minor injury, you can heal the infection by cleaning the wound, administering antibiotics, and applying a bandage for a few days to protect it. If it is possible for you, immediately take these steps to deal with minor infections.
- If you've cleaned the wound area thoroughly, given enough antibiotics, and applied a bandage and kept the area clean, but still have pain, or the pain is getting worse or inflamed, it's time to see a doctor.
- If the infection is mild and does not pose a serious risk to your health, you can make an appointment with your doctor. Think carefully and remember that it is better to be on guard than to regret later.
Method 2 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Follow the doctor's advice in terms of handling minor infections
Treatment may vary according to the cause. Your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics. However, often doctors will only advise you to soak your toes in a solution of warm water mixed with 1:1 liquid antibacterial soap for about 15 minutes 3-4 times a day and keep them clean.
- Soaking the toe like this will help fight the infection and soften the skin layer. Thus, your infection will be cured.
- In the case of a yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe antifungal medication or antifungal nail polish.
Step 2. Get medical treatment for serious infections
If your infection is deep and serious, your doctor may recommend that you undergo minor surgery. In this procedure, the infection in the toe will be removed surgically which is usually done if an abscess occurs.
- At first the doctor will anesthetize the toe with lidocaine and then open the infection with a scalpel to allow the pus to drain out. Next, depending on the depth of the infection, an absorbent material will be inserted into the wound to absorb any remaining fluid.
- The wound will then be covered with gauze for 24-48 hours. This layer of gauze may be removed after this period of time. After that the wound will be examined and bandaged again.
- Oral antibiotics may also be given by a doctor.
Step 3. Use medication to treat surface infections
Surface infections of the toes can be treated in a number of ways, which include:
- Soaking: as in the case of serious infections, it is usually recommended that you soak your toes in a 1:1 solution of warm water and liquid antibacterial soap. Soak your toes for 15 minutes once a day.
- Over-the-counter antibiotic creams and ointments for bacterial infections: these include Polysporin, Neosporin, Bacitracin, or Triple Antibiotic ointment.
- Over-the-counter antifungal creams for yeast infections: these include Lotrimin, Derman, Canestan, or other antifungal medications.
Method 3 of 3: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Use tea tree oil to treat the infection
Apply this oil directly on the area that is infected with bacteria or fungi. This oil acts as a natural antibacterial so it can help fight infections.
Tea tree oil has been shown to relieve athlete's foot infection in clinical trials
Step 2. Soak your toes in apple cider vinegar
Instead, do this treatment for 15 minutes every day. You can use warm or cold apple cider vinegar, whichever feels most comfortable for you.
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties, possibly due to its acidic nature. The anti-infective properties of vinegar have been used for hundreds of years
Step 3. Apply the garlic paste to the infected area
Crush two or three cloves of peeled garlic and mix it with olive oil, castor oil, or manuka honey, which also have antimicrobial properties. Then, apply it on the infected area and cover it with a bandage.
- Replace this garlic paste every day.
- Garlic has properties as a natural antibiotic so it is useful for fighting skin infections such as those caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
Step 4. Soak your toes in Epsom salt every day
Pour about cup of Epsom salt into three cups of warm water. Then soak your toes in it for 15 minutes or until the water starts to cool.
High salt content can kill bacteria and fungi that cause infection
Step 5. Dissolve Listerine mouthwash in warm water and use it to soak the toes
Prepare Listerine and warm water with a dose of 1:1, then soak your toes in it every day. Listerine can help with simple infections because it contains menthol, thymol, and eucalyptol, all of which are derived from a variety of natural antibiotic ingredients.
If you have a fungal toe infection, a 1:1 Listerine and white vinegar bath can help
Step 6. See a doctor if home remedies don't help
If your infection does not improve after using home remedies for a few days, or if it gets worse, you should see a doctor for medical attention. Do not continue home remedies if they do not help.
