Ingrown toenail

[DeeAitch]

Good morning
Please may I ask for advice as to who I should approach regarding an ingrown toenail, self care hasn’t cured it, & whilst there doesn’t appear to be any signs of infection spreading the nail bed is swollen & painful, exacerbated by a slipped disc which is making that leg but numb & painful. I ask as I’m unsure as to whether I need to see a doctor / podiatrist/ chiropodist (don’t understand the difference between the last two) & where to find a relevant practitioner near me
Many thanks

 

[jane d]

Your doctor would be the first place to contact. You may need antibiotics. They can refer you to a podiatrist.

 

[DCUKMod]

Good morning
Please may I ask for advice as to who I should approach regarding an ingrown toenail, self care hasn’t cured it, & whilst there doesn’t appear to be any signs of infection spreading the nail bed is swollen & painful, exacerbated by a slipped disc which is making that leg but numb & painful. I ask as I’m unsure as to whether I need to see a doctor / podiatrist/ chiropodist (don’t understand the difference between the last two) & where to find a relevant practitioner near me
Many thanks

Dee, please make contact with your GP. You may be able to send him photos of the toe for an initial assessment.

Nobody should ignore infections on their feet, and this is amplified for those living with diabetes, where things can get complex quickly.

Fingers crossed for you, but much better safe than sorry.

 

[Speedbird]

In the meantime, soak your feet in hot very salty water at least once a day. I see a podiatrist every 6 months and that is what she suggested. It works until I can be seen again. Chiropodist and Podiatrist are basically the same. Those who graduate now are called podiatrists.

 

[TriciaNT]

Hello Everyone
I am new to this Forum but not to diabetes! (37 years T1)
I am also a Podiatrist so if I may, can I offer some advice re your ingrown toenail.
Jane D is right, you must contact your GP asap as you will probably need antibiotics. Your GP should refer you to NHS Podiatry services (depending on where you live, you can self-refer). It is also important to salt water bathe in WARM water, not hot, twice daily for 5 minutes each time. And yes, Podiatrist is the modern name that of Chiropodist to bring us in line with most other countries, but you need to have completed a 3 year full-time degree to be a registered Pod.
Hope you get sorted soon.