Infected ingrown toenail after surgery?

[Mmm99]

Hello. I had an infected ingrown toenail surgically removed at a podiatrist a little under one month ago. Now, the area is clearly infected with yellow pus, a lot of swelling, clear oozing, redness and purpleness, a lot of pain with any pressure or walking. In the office, the doctor applied Neosporin, which I am allergic to, which he then realized and quickly removed. I have been rinsing the toe with warm water in the shower most nights and following with bacitracin and a bandaid on a limited basis. I won't be able to see a doctor for about one week. Will this be okay?  (Also I take minocycline for acne but it doesn't seem to have any effect). What is the risk of the infection spreading or bone infection if I've had this infection for approx. 25 days?
Thanks so much in advance!!
M

[caregiver222]

You should NOT be bathing the toe in water. This is contraindicated. It will result in spread of the infection.

The toe should be kept absolutely dry.

You really need to see a physician as soon as possible. The danger is the infection will go into the bone and result in osteomyelitis, which may mean weeks on an intravenous line in a hospital. Oral antibiotics do not work well for toe infections. Soaking in salt water will enhance the chances of developing osteomyelitis.

You should get an x-ray film of the toe and ideally the infection be cultured.

Osteomyelitis is very nasty and can spread to the metatarsals and the leg, which could result in amputation of the toe, foot or leg.

[jemma116]

Try bathing the foot in salty water for a few days.

You do need a course of antibiotics and not just the antibiotic cream to apply to the toe.  You should see a doctor urgently.