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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sharp Pain And Pus Discharge In The Toe After Walking Bare Foot?

Hi I am inquiring on behalf of my brother, who was camping just after Thanksgiving in the woods of central Pennsylvania. He was barefoot for a few moments, got his sock covered feet soaked in dirty brown ground water. He was in an area of high wildlife traffic. He was awakened by a sudden, sharp pain in his toe, and said it felt like being stuck with a hot needle. He thought it was a spider bite. Now, the toe is rotting and exuding copious amounts of puss. (ruined two pairs of shoes) Two doctors have tried and failed at diagnosing, and I suspect a parasitic infection. I want to show you a picture.(?)
Mon, 20 Feb 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

I read your message carefully and understood your medical issue.


If you can send me a picture of his toe it would be great. Also, mention to me if your brother has ever had some other associated symptoms local near the toe or systemic like fever or whatever.


Usual causes are paronychia (infection of the tissue surrounding the nail) and onychia (infection of the nail itself). When the causative agent is fungal the progression of these two conditions is more chronic. When it appears suddenly it is caused by bacteria (staph. aureus is the most common).

Parasites are unlikely to cause this type of infection.

Anyway, my suggestion is that your brother must send a pus sample to the bacteriological lab to discover the exact cause. The result will discover the proper antibiotic that can work with that infection.

These types of nail infections happen after a little trauma of the nail or the tissue around that that next becomes inflamed.

Sent photos if they are available.
I'll be here to help you further.
Dr.Albana
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What Causes Sharp Pain And Pus Discharge In The Toe After Walking Bare Foot?

Hello, I read your message carefully and understood your medical issue. If you can send me a picture of his toe it would be great. Also, mention to me if your brother has ever had some other associated symptoms local near the toe or systemic like fever or whatever. Usual causes are paronychia (infection of the tissue surrounding the nail) and onychia (infection of the nail itself). When the causative agent is fungal the progression of these two conditions is more chronic. When it appears suddenly it is caused by bacteria (staph. aureus is the most common). Parasites are unlikely to cause this type of infection. Anyway, my suggestion is that your brother must send a pus sample to the bacteriological lab to discover the exact cause. The result will discover the proper antibiotic that can work with that infection. These types of nail infections happen after a little trauma of the nail or the tissue around that that next becomes inflamed. Sent photos if they are available. I ll be here to help you further. Dr.Albana