what to say about the dangers of toe infection?

[GingerSue]

this is about a toe that became infected following pedicure by a nurse,

when the toe of a diabetic older person (on warfarin) was nicked and became painful and infected with drainage

the older person has now wrapped the foot in a towel

my concern is about the infection that might worsen

(this older person is not very good about realizing when to go to the doctor when there is infection or legs ulcers, then ends up in hospital with serious infection)

What can I say, without frightening the person (about worsening of the infection, hospitalization again, gangrene, etc) - to convince him to go to the doctor and get it looked at?

[Katnip, RN]

Give him the facts. You may frighten him a bit, but what's worse? A little worry on his part or amputation?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

As a diabetic educator/nurse I have seen several amputees whose story start with "pedicures".

[woody62, RN]

this is about a toe that became infected following pedicure by a nurse,

when the toe of a diabetic older person (on warfarin) was nicked and became painful and infected with drainage

the older person has now wrapped the foot in a towel

my concern is about the infection that might worsen

(this older person is not very good about realizing when to go to the doctor when there is infection or legs ulcers, then ends up in hospital with serious infection)

What can I say, without frightening the person (about worsening of the infection, hospitalization again, gangrene, etc) - to convince him to go to the doctor and get it looked at?

I am a sixty one year old insulin dependent diabetic. We are taught that we should take proper care of our feet. Since this simple act has resulted in these symptoms, I suggest you tell the gentleman that he needs to see his doctor as soon as possible. In aall likelyhood, he knows this and is waiting for someone to tell him this. Please, otherwise he may lose more then the tip of his toe.

Woody:balloons:

[GingerSue]

thanks everybody,

I did see the man's toe today, the open area is deeper and bigger than I expected, the toe is reddened and swollen

I said that, in my opinion, when there is an open area on his foot it is likely best to have the doctor look at it immediately, don't want infection, gangrene, or amputation

And with this I included reminder of the last time, when leg ulcers got worse and so bad that he had to be hospitalized on intravenous antibiotics (septicemia was the diagnosis on the discharge paperwork)

And if a simple trip to the doctor would prevent those problems, then it's worth it