painful toe

[sophie_1003]

I have a very painful little toe it has been this way for a few weeks for sometime, very red and swollen, to start with i thought my new shoes were rubbing on it but having worn different shoes, putting plasters on it etc, it hasn't got any better, if anything just more painful. Rang the doctors today but they have this system where you have to ring on the day you actually want an appointment and then when you do that they don't have any available unless its for an emergency....basically my question is, does anyone know of anything that could cause this type of pain? I did stub my toe ages ago which hurt like mad for a few weeks but then the pain completely disappeared.

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, i remember my big toe hurting like mad for a few weeks, about 3 months ago. It was swollen near to my nail, so i wondered if i had an infection or summat. After the few weeks tho, it just seemed to disappear. I didnt put anything on it, i think i just willed it away...

[4getmenot]

Is it itchy aswell?

[MrBen5]

Actually sophie, i remember hearing something the other night about some little insect like creatures which escaped in some womans hair from a government research center. Apparently they lay microscopic eggs within the finger and toe nail areas. They caused the skin to swell and when popped by the 'host' they apparently squeel.
But it maybe nowhere near you...

[RATTER15]

ingrowing toe nail maybe?

[sophie_1003]

its not near the nail, more near to the joint, and its not particularly itchy, what would it mean if it was?

[joby1]

my dad had a sore toe, red and swollen and was diagnosed with gout.

[RATTER15]

MrBen5, I remember reading about that, I don't think you would actually hear them squeal though as they are so small!!

I don't think it is really serious, I think they just remove the nail from the bed and the eggs just ooze out as a puss like fluid!!

You would think these research people would have more sense!!

[RATTER15]

and the pain seems to emanate from the joint if I remember correctly, I must find that article!!!

[4getmenot]

I'm just thinking with the cold weather it could just be chilblains
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23069145/

[RATTER15]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingrown_nail


Ouch!!!!!!!

[sophie_1003]

yeah i was thinking a chilblain, going to ring the doctor again later, they just seem to have a really ridiculous system! i suppose i could get an appointment with a nurse, that would probably be just as good!

[4getmenot]

or maybe just try some chilblain cream

[sophie_1003]

by the way, mrben5 and ratter15 I'm pretty much disregarding your answers as poor attempts to get me creeped out!

[sophie_1003]

yeah could do, need to get a priscription for the pill anyway, but would i need a double appointment if it was for that and my toe?

[RATTER15]

Well I thought it was quite a good attempt actually :-)

[RATTER15]

Just the one appointment needed Sophie

[sophie_1003]

If I'd been abroad and you'd said about insects in peoples skin I'd be terrified so I suppose it was worth a try! One appointment you say?? Brilliant!

[raysparx1]

I think 4get has got it right.again.

[4getmenot]

Depends what your docs are like, mine would just look at the toe and then do me a prescription ouy for pill if I needed it. Should all be on docs files.

[4getmenot]

Dont quote me on it though, I dont want you trying to treat a chilblain when you have a broken toe. :-)