When the big toe breaks and hurts, this is a very unpleasant condition; in addition to the symptoms of pain and swelling, purulent inflammation can spread to the tissue and even affect the bone, leading to osteomyelitis. In medicine, there are several names for when the big toe breaks. This could be paronychia - a diagnosis associated with an inflammatory process affecting the nail fold and the tissues that surround it. There is also a term - felon, a process associated with purulent inflammation of the tissues surrounding the finger and affecting the nail. Women most often suffer from this pathology and this phenomenon is associated with a love of manicure, wearing uncomfortable shoes (heels and narrow toes), that is, sacrifices for the sake of beauty, although men also suffer from the disease. Among men, the disease affects athletes, football players, as well as representatives of working professions.

It is worth noting that felon can develop on both the hands and feet, although the big toe is most often affected. Inflammation develops due to poor hygiene, careless cutting of nails, involvement of fungus in the process, infections, that is, there are many reasons. Naturally, when the first finger hurts, and even on the leg, this causes a lot of trouble, the activity of moving the finger decreases, the person suffers from pain, and when the finger breaks, the clinical picture worsens sharply. Often the disease is characterized by a chronic type of course, that is, after an injury or cutting a nail, the finger may become inflamed, heal over time, and after a while the situation will repeat. Some people don’t pay attention and live with this condition, but if the source of the panaritium is not identified, then over time the finger near the nail will begin to hurt and break out so much that it will be impossible to endure.

Causes

If we consider the reasons for which a suppurative process occurs in the area of ​​the nail plate, then mechanical factors come first. Often, when performing a pedicure on a woman or routinely cutting nails on a man, soft tissue trauma occurs. In addition, it is harmful to cut the nails too much, leaving sharp edges, which is why during subsequent growth the corner of the nail plate rotates into the skin. The fact is that the feet are subject to excessive sweating and contamination, and even a small wound can be very painful and lead to the development of suppuration. By the way, in most cases in which felon is diagnosed, rotation of the nail is detected.

Let's look at the clinical picture already during the period when it became inflamed and became infected. If, in addition to the skin, the color of the nail plate changes or suppuration develops on several fingers at once, then you need to pay attention to the immune system. The symptoms of inflammation are similar - severe pain in the area of ​​the 1st toe, the pain becomes very strong when pressing on the nail or finger, during movements, that is, load.

A person feels a tugging impulse in the area of ​​inflammation that does not give rest. Let's look at why the finger twitches during suppuration. The fact is that suppuration causes swelling of the tissue, which in turn compresses the nerves and blood vessels, which is why sensitivity is impaired. This is actually the answer to the question of why the toe twitches.

If treatment is not carried out in the early stages of suppuration, then the pain and swelling spreads, areas of pus under the skin are visible, and the foot begins to ache and ache. Initially, the temperature rises locally, in the area of ​​​​the skin lesion, but over time there may be a general increase in body temperature. It becomes difficult to move the finger; it is impossible to cut nails or put on socks or shoes without feeling pain. Do not forget about the purulent contents that are released and have a specific smell.

Based on these symptoms, we can conclude that few people dare not seek help and not treat inflammation. Let's consider the treatment of panaritium or paronychia.

Treatment

You should not self-medicate if your finger is suppurated, as the infection can spread quickly and cause a number of complications, so you need to consult a doctor. Of course, if a wound is received and the inflammatory process has not yet begun, treatment can be carried out for preventive purposes.

Treatment at home

At home, you can use baths with the addition of baking soda. To do this, you need to heat the water, but not to a hot state, so as not to burn your finger, then add soda and take a bath for 10 minutes 2-3 times a day. If you have potassium permanganate, you can use it instead of soda; the solution should turn out pink, but not red - this can also cause a burn. At the end of the bath procedure, you need to wipe your finger dry and wrap it with a bandage.

If a suppurative process begins, but it is not possible to get to a doctor right away, then you can apply aloe, plantain leaves or Kalanchoe to the site of inflammation, and they should be thoroughly washed. Having applied the medicinal herb, you need to fix it by wrapping it with a bandage or gluing it with a band-aid. We must not forget that these measures are temporary and will not be able to stop the suppuration, therefore, if possible, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible, and the attending physician will tell you how to cure the disease. Treatment in a hospital setting.

There are two options for treating the suppurative process. In the initial stage, you can do without surgery, and treatment is carried out using local ointments, and if necessary, antibiotics are taken orally. If the pathology is associated with a fungal infection, then antifungal ointments are prescribed - Nystatin, Clotrimazole, Metranidazole.

Let's consider how to treat the suppurative process associated with infection in the wound. In order for the foot and toe to regain their former shape without wounds and areas of pus accumulation, local remedies are prescribed:

• Levomikol ointment;
• ichthyol ointment;
• levosin;
• Balsamic liniment.

Ointments are used for the period while the wound is purulent, in order to prevent the wound from getting wet, that is, when the pus has disappeared, in order for the wound to heal, it needs to be dried. For the entire course of treatment, you need to protect the site of the abscess from dirt and liquids, for which regular dressings are done. If a crooked nail is the cause of the abscess, then you need to undergo a medical pedicure so as not to damage soft tissues in the future. Often in such cases, doctors recommend special staples that correct nail growth.

It is not always possible to get rid of an abscess in a conservative way, especially if the person is elderly or his body is weakened. Let's look at how to treat an abscess promptly.

To do this, the doctor makes an incision at the source of suppuration; most often, local anesthesia is used for this. Using a special instrument, the pus is removed and areas of tissue necrosis are cut out. In case of severe inflammation, the skin area is sutured, but this is not always done. Sometimes applying ointment and a sterile bandage is enough. Dressings should be done for a week until the wound heals.

Prevention

As has already become known, if it is on the leg, it causes not only pain and discomfort, but also threatens with suppuration, even damage to the bone. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, you need to learn a few rules. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the procedure of cutting toenails, always file their edges and not cut off too much. It is recommended to wear shoes with wide toes to avoid squeezing your toes. This will prevent the development of calluses and prevent sweaty feet.

We must not forget that synthetics and non-natural fabrics have the properties of irritating the skin and are not ventilated, which is why you need to use leather shoes and cotton socks. If a finger injury occurs, it is recommended to immediately treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide, iodine or brilliant green, and then apply a bandage.

Since another cause of an abscess in the finger is a fungal infection, one should not forget about the rules of hygiene. When visiting the gym, swimming pool or sauna, you must use individual slippers and do not step on the floor with your bare feet. Another nuance is the health of the nail. When a nail grows crookedly or is damaged, it grows into the skin, so it is advisable to protect your toes from injury and animal bites.