Ok so I'm only 14, and I'm really worried I might get my toe amputated or something. A few months ago (march or may I think) some girl wearing heels stepped on my toe. This caused an ingrown toenail and it was pussing and hurt to walk.I looked it up and found out what it was so I soaked it in warm water and something else (I don't remember what) and the pussing and pain went away. But around June it became infected and my toenail turned yellow. I didn't know what to think and tried soaking it again but this didn't really help because the puss and pain was already gone. The area under my toenail is slightly purple and I'm really scared it's getting worse. Again, no pain or puss but a yellow nail that is now detached at the bottom. Now that it's detached I'm scared more dirt will get in and worsen the infection.My mom told me it will fall off eventually and go away by itself. She said that I have to wait until my yearly physical in November to get it checked out. After the stuff I've been reading about ingrown toenails I'm scared it will get amputated. Please help by giving any experience or soothing advice. School starts tomorrow and I don't want to be stressed out.

I can't give you any professional advice, but I can tell you that I know plenty of people that have had ingrown toe nails and none of them have had to get their toes amputated. Like your mom said, with all of their cases, the infection/nail/whatever you want to call it healed after a while on its own. The doctor will probably just prescribe some antibiotics that will help the infection go away and make the process faster, but don't worry about. Also, good luck at school!

Large difference between a ingrown toe nail and a major infection with toe turning purple.

If this is serious and not checked, infections can spread
No one here can look at it first hand, do any medical tests or treat it.

Is there a reason mom will not allow you to go to doctor ?

Thank you for the luck on school. I think the reason she won't let me is because she just doesn't think it's a major problem and my physical is two months away. I thought it would heal on it's own too but its been five months and that's why I'm worried. I have a little bit of purple underneath all my toes and occasionally my whole foot since I have low circulation but this one seems slightly darker. I thought maybe this was a result of pressure from the nail under my skin ( ingrown on the lower left) but if it could be major infection I'll try to convince my mom. The color doesn't seem to be spreading.

The purple is bruising, or blood. It isn't related to infection. If you aren't in pain, I agree with your mother. I don't imagine dirt getting under your skin because skin grows under the nail as it detaches. Although I understand concern about infection, always a concern because it can spread under the skin, I don't envision your toe being amputated.

Is there a nurse at your school who might be able to look at it?

Why do you have low circulation in your foot?

I know nobody on here can give me medical advice I just wanted any experience because I can't get professional help right now. There is a nurse at my school but she's more for going to if you have the flu and want to leave. She couldn't help as all she really does is provide a cot to lay on. I have a low circulation problem in my feet/they are prone to cold because of a condition so sometimes they turn a dark purple but it's nothing serious and the doctor has looked into it before.

If it's an ingrown toenail that's infected, you will need to see a doctor. I've had many ingrown toenails, so has my son.

At first the doctor will try to clear the infection with medication. Most ingrown toenails will grow out on their own, but there are some that won't. They literally in-bed themselves into the toe, which is what causes the pain. Those cases need to be cut out by a doctor. The doctor will numb your toe, and cut off half the nail. It doesn't hurt while it's being done, but can be sore when the local wears off.

But that's assuming this is an ingrown toenail. Since we can't diagnose it, we can't say for sure what it is, which is why you really need to see a doctor.

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Originally Posted by Alty

If it's an ingrown toenail that's infected, you will need to see a doctor. I've had many ingrown toenails, so has my son.

At first the doctor will try to clear the infection with medication. Most ingrown toenails will grow out on their own, but there are some that won't. They literally in-bed themselves into the toe, which is what causes the pain. Those cases need to be cut out by a doctor. The doctor will numb your toe, and cut off half the nail. It doesn't hurt while it's being done, but can be sore when the local wears off.

But that's assuming this is an ingrown toenail. Since we can't diagnose it, we can't say for sure what it is, which is why you really need to see a doctor.

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I'm pretty positive it's an ingrown toenail, and I'm glad that infection doesn't seem to be going into my toe but what if my toe doesn't hurt? My nail does not hurt at all and is not letting out any puss. It's just stuck deep into my skin and then the bottom of the nail is detached, and attatched again on the other side, like a bridge. Since the bottom isn't there anymore the toenail is no longer growing. Is the toenail going to naturally detatch all the way? Or is there something I could do to help it? I just really don't think my mom will take me to the Doctor until my scheduled appointment.