Question
Hello,   One week ago my large toe was accidentally stepped on and my nail was standing straight up.  I carefully put it back down, wrapped it and then went to the ER as it did not look good at all.  The physician on call irrigated it, gave me a tetanus shot, and then 2 nerve blocks to stitch the nail to my toe.  Was given 500 MG Keflex 4 x a day and pain meds.  I went back to the doctor today (my regular) and my toe is infected on the right side,,,very red.  Give a different anti and Bacatracin ointment.  I failed to ask if I could soak my foot as the ER physician told me the stitches would dissolve.  I am in pain and want to know if soaking the foot would be harmful.  And if not how long.  Many thanks.

Answer
I would probably use a solution of water and white vinegar. Eight to one dilution
You can soak the sterile gauze in the solution-make in a clean container and then place gauze on top of toe for fifteen minutes. Easier than placing toe in a bowl
The acetic acid has antibiotic properties

George Tsatsos-Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist
Board Certified Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Surgery
AnkleNFoot.com

Not Med Advice-Just info for all