Can an infected ingrown toenail make you sick?

You should seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever and notice red streaks on your skin that lead away from the infected area on your toe, as these symptoms indicate a more severe infection. An infected toenail can impact your daily life, but it doesn’t have to.

Can you get sepsis from a toenail?

Even a particularly bad ingrown toenail that becomes infected can lead to sepsis, he says, although that is not a common occurrence.

How do you treat a septic 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.

Can ingrown toenails lead to death?

An ingrown toenail is highly unlikely to be fatal, or even seriously debilitating. Nonetheless, if left untreated – especially in an individual who already has an underlying medical condition that causes impaired blood flow to the feet — an ingrown toenail can result in some serious complications.

When should you go to the ER for an ingrown toenail?

Call your doctor if your toe is red, warm, swollen, or drains pus, or if there are red streaks leading from your toe. Your doctor might give you antibiotics. If your toenail is very ingrown, your doctor might suggest minor surgery to remove all or part of the ingrown nail.

What happens if you leave an infected ingrown toenail untreated?

If the infected ingrown nail is left untreated the infection can spread to the bone beneath the nail or, in extreme cases, enter the blood stream and cause sepsis, gangrene or a flesh eating disorder. For those with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, an ingrown toenail should never be left untreated.

Can an infected toe make you sick?

An infection in your toe may also be accompanied by fever, sweating, chills, nausea, a lack of appetite, and weight loss.

What happens if you leave an infected ingrown toenail?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can cause an infection in the bone in your toe. A toenail infection can also lead to foot ulcers, or open sores, and a loss of blood flow to the infected area. Tissue decay and tissue death at the site of infection are possible.

Can a infected toe make you sick?

How do u know if you get blood poisoning?

Symptoms of blood poisoning Sudden fever (moderate to high temperature) Fast heartbeat. Rapid breathing. Heart palpitations (heart skips a beat or seems to flutter)

When should I be concerned about ingrown toenail?

If you develop an ingrown toenail and you notice any sort of sign of an infection, get help as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of serious complications. Redness around the area, as well as severe pain and swelling are warning signs of a developing infection.

When should I go to the doctor for an infected ingrown toenail?

When to see a doctor. The dividing line between relying on home care and seeking medical help for an ingrown toenail is if you see signs of infection. If the pain worsens considerably, or if you see pus or blood, increased redness, nail discoloration, or notice a bad odor, you need to seek professional care promptly.