Your foot appears discolored, with redness, red streaks, or white patches. Your nails, particularly your toenail, have green or yellow spots, or other signs of discoloration. You have a fever. Your foot is swollen.
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How do I get rid of a bacterial infection in my foot?
Available treatment options from your doctor for an infected foot can include:
- oral or topical antibiotics.
- prescription antifungal pills or creams.
- cryotherapy to remove plantar warts.
- vacuum-assisted closure for diabetic foot ulcers.
- surgery.
What is the best antibiotic for a foot infection?
Patients with mild infections can be treated with oral antibiotics, like cephalexin, dicloxacillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, or clindamycin. A more severe infection is typically treated intravenously with ciprofloxacin-clindamycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, or imipenem-cilastatin.
Can a foot infection heal on its own?
Most people who receive treatment for minor foot infections can expect to recover without any complications. However, some types of foot infection, such as cellulitis, require immediate medical attention. Foot infections can have serious consequences, such as gangrene, for people with diabetes.
How long does it take for antibiotics to work for foot infection?
Antibiotics begin working as soon as you take them; relief begins within one to three days, but you should continue to take them for 7 to 14 days depending on the severity of infection.
What does staph infection on foot look like?
Staph cellulitis usually begins as a small area of tenderness, swelling, and redness. Sometimes it begins with an open sore. Other times, there is no obvious break in the skin at all. The signs of cellulitis are those of any inflammation — redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.
How do I know if I have fungal or bacterial infection?
Doctors usually diagnose the infection by scraping scaling skin off of a person and inspecting it under a microscope for evidence of any fungus. There are a few different fungi that can cause athlete’s foot. The infection may behave differently depending on the specific fungus that is infecting the skin.
What causes bacterial infection in foot?
Bacterial infections
If you have a cut, scrape, or open blister on your foot, bacteria can enter your foot. This can cause your foot to develop an infection. You might have a bacterial infection in your foot if your cut isn’t healing on its own and feels warm, swollen, or has fluid or pus.
What happens if your foot gets infected?
Swelling – Inflammation is a common symptom of an infected foot. The swelling can worsen or spread to the entire foot. It can also make the skin appear shiny or waxy. Secretion of pus or fluid – An ingrown toenail can cause a pus-filled pocket under the skin which may ooze out.
What do you soak an infected foot in?
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of unscented Epsom salts into one quart of warm water and soak your foot for 15 minutes at a time. Do this several times a day for the first few days. Always dry your foot completely after soaking. Soaking your ingrown or infected toe will help relieve the pain and pressure of an infection.
What are the most common foot infections?
Foot infections include warts; the common disease athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), which is caused by a foot fungus that thrives in warm, humid conditions; and a bacterial infection called pitted keratolysis, which is also associated with warm, damp feet.
How can I treat a foot infection at home?
You can also try these remedies at home: Soak the toe for about 15 minutes in a bathtub or bucket filled with warm water and salt. Do this three to four times a day. Rub a medicated ointment on the toe and wrap it in a clean bandage.
Should you elevate an infected foot?
Elevate the area — Elevating the arm or leg above the level of the heart can help to reduce swelling and speed healing. Keep the area clean and dry — It is important to keep the infected area clean and dry.
How do you know when an infection is serious?
Signs of Serious Infections
- Severe headache.
- Constant vomiting.
- Bloodstained vomit, stool, or urine.
- Peculiar redness or swelling of your skin.
- Recurring fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Excruciating abdominal pain.
- A persistent sore throat.
What is a serious complication associated with foot infection?
Osteomyelitis is a serious complication of diabetic foot infection that increases the likelihood of surgical intervention. Treatment is based on the extent and severity of the infection and comorbid conditions.
How do you know when an infection is healing?
Signs of Infection
- Warmth. Often, right at the beginning of the healing process, your wound feels warm.
- Redness. The area may be swollen, sore, and red in color right after you’ve sustained your injury.
- Discharge. After the initial discharge of a bit of pus and blood, your wound should be clear.
- Pain.
- Fever.
What does the first stage of staph look like?
Staph infection
Staph skin infections, including MRSA , generally start as swollen, painful red bumps that might look like pimples or spider bites. The affected area might be: Warm to the touch. Full of pus or other drainage.
How did I get a staph infection on my foot?
The feet are often subjected to large amounts of bacteria inside the shoe and when barefoot on the ground. Bacteria will travel from the foot into the open wound and cause a dangerous infection known as a staph infection. Yellow crusting on the skin is one of the first signs that you have a staph infection.
When should I go to the ER for a skin infection?
“If there is fever, rapidly spreading redness, rapid heart rate, or extraordinary pain that is disproportionate to the wound or injury, that is when you tell the patient to visit the hospital,” he said.
What is the most common bacterial skin infection?
Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils), are not spread to others (not infectious), and usually can be treated without antibiotics.
What is cellulitis of the foot?
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissues beneath your skin. It most commonly affects the lower part of your body, including your legs, feet and toes. However, it can occur in any part of your body. It also commonly appears on your face, arms, hands and fingers.