Toe.

[Heaven Knows]

Okay, I'm probably being stupid and should just go to my GP but...

First thing you need to know is I have a massive phobia of feet...mine or someone elses. To the point it takes about 15 minutes for me to put my socks on. I can't stand to have someone look or touch my feet. I never wear open toed shoes around anyone.

Anyway...I think I have an ingrowing toenail/infection in my big toe. It hurts like **** and is hot. The thing is I'm terrified to have anyone go anywhere near it. It gives me a panic attack when I think about it. I've tried socking it in salt water and antiseptic but it's not done anything. Is there anything I can do or use without someone seeing it?

It's stupid I realise but it's really freaking me out.

Thank you.

x Katie x

[Amaranth]

You could always try explaining to a pharmacist about your phobia and see what they suggest - or even phone your doctors surgery and ask to talk to your doctor; if you tell them how bad the phobia is they should be sympathetic, and if they do need to see you they may be able to give you a mild sedative or talk through some relaxation exercises to help you.

[Animad]

To be honest, if it's going on for a while, it's hot and it's not improving and if anything it's worsening then it really needs to e looked and and I personally don't know how much bathing it in salt-water would help as the infected as the affected tissue is unlikely to be on the surface and therefore not exposed to it and so would not be affected but this could really dry out your feet as well as potentially cause some areas of the skin to become irritated by the salt, making things worse. Soaking them in warm water or even better putting a heat pad or something on the toe is likely to be more effective at drawing out any infection if there is some present but then you'd need dress it and things.

Really I'd go to the doctors and explain your phobia with your feet etc but hopefully they'll be able to help.

[Heaven Knows]

Thanks for the replies. I've got a GP appointment on Friday and I'm trying to psyche myself up to tell him about it. It seems to be getting worse and I've had them for ages so it's probably best just to suck it up and get it seen to.
Thanks anyway.
x Katie x

[Animad]

Yeh, glad you've had the courage to book a doctors appointment, it may not sound it but that's a huge step in itself. I know for a problem I've got it literally once took me over a yr to book an appointment (it was nothing that would seriously damage my health at all if left!) and in that time sometimes I'd ring up the doctors and then put the phone down and stuff so I know how hard even that can be. I'd recommend you write down what the problem is, plus that you have a phobia of your feet, just in case you really struggle on Fri as anxiety can make it almost impossible to talk and at least then if you have something written down it will be a good starting point.