Sore on middle toe won't heal

Sorry, to read about your problem.

I would go back to your G.P. for further advise. If the doctor doesn't know what is causing the problem I'd request to see a Dermatologist who specialises in skin disorders. When wounds won't heal as they should, it may be due to some other reasons e.g. diabetes, infection? I say this because unfortunately, people with diabetes can have a problem with wound healing.

It sounds as if your feet may be sweating whilst wearing enclosed shoes, so I'd suggest placing soft small pieces of dry gauze between the affected toes, so that it will assist in keeping the area's dry & it will stop the two toes rubbing each other which can cause friction. Shoes should be well fitted too because if they are to tight or restrictive in anyway this can also cause a problem.

You mention you tend to walk around bare footed at home, I'd suggest if your doing this that you do cover the affected area's because you could introduce infection into the open wound.

Lastly, the last thing you should be doing is to scratch the itchy areas until they bleed (I know this is difficult). When you need to scratch try scratching the area with your knuckles or with a piece of gauze held over your finger rather then using your nails because this may be asking for trouble.

I wish you the best of luck with your problem.

It sounds as if you've been having a rough time of it but at least your now on antibiotics so hopefully things will improve soon. 

Soaking your foot in salt water is just an old way of cleansing wounds and is still used today, so it shouldn't cause a problem. It's just a saline mixture of salt & water as you'll realise, its used to cleanse wounds in hospitals anyway. Just make sure the bowl is thoroughly cleansed before putting your salt mixture & luke warm water in it.

You mention when you try to get the old dressing off that its stuck, just take the outer dressing off & leave the gauze thats stuck on & immerse your foot in the water, let it soak for a few minutes. It will soon come off, just gently remove it when its ready, avoid forcing it as this will avoid pulling off any new skin growth. I don't know how many times a day your changing your dressing? Dressings normally only need to be changed if necessary e.g. soiled. Not usually several times a day etc. Did the hospital advise you re: this? If in doubt contact your G.P. surgery who will usually have a 'practice nurse' who should'nt mind having a look at it and advising you further.

I hope this as been a little helpful?

Regards

Carol

I just wanted to say that I have had almost exactly the same problem that you are describing. Though maybe I have had it a little longer as I have already tried the antiabotics. About 4 months ago, I had gone to the doctor and got a general antibiotic which did reduce the symptoms but did not clear the problem.

About two months ago I got a new job which mean travelling for 4 hrs every day and in the winter that means with the heating on and boots on. I got a blister from my snowboots and because it hurt popped it with a clean needle. 

What happened next was maybe for everyone else a forgone conclusion but I spent about 12 hrs feeling increasing nauseous and then 12 hours in a very high fever. Now I am on a tougher antibiotics cure to make sure that the infection that caused the fevet is first dealt with.

This is all a long-winded way to say that my dr and I learned the hard way not to try and tackle this earlier and sort of live with it if its not too inconvenient because it flared up rather nastily for me.

So the advice that says go to a specialist and do not stop until its fixed, is the best one. Sorry I could not shed any more light on the cause, I am looking for that myself.

Good luck

Julia