Nail bed inflammation - that could turn into pus!

It usually starts quite harmlessly, a small pain on the toe, then it gets a little red - then it gets thicker, starts to pulsate and can then really hurt. In the worst case, an infection can spread throughout the whole body.

That's why it's important to take countermeasures early on. What triggers the whole thing? There is usually a certain basic predisposition, i.e. the anatomy of the toenail is such that someone tends to get this nail bed inflammation. However, an injury to the nail bed can also be a trigger, especially if you have nibbled on it too much. And: it can also be caused by sub-optimal foot care or an incorrectly cut nail.

It is very important not to cut children's toenails too short. And leave the edges rounded rather than too square - this makes the nail less likely to grow in under the nail bed.

It is also important to take local antiseptic measures at an early stage. For example, apply Octenisept or Betaisodona to the wound. This usually also helps to reduce the inflammation. If the symptoms still don't go away or even get worse, please see a doctor.

The next step is to apply localised antibiotic ointments to the wound. And if that doesn't help either, sometimes surgery really is the last resort. A small piece of the nail is then removed under local anaesthetic. This is usually so crucial that the nail and nail bed can heal completely.