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What Are the Common Causes of Toenail Pus?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

Toenail pus is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms of an infection that causes pus around the toenails include redness, pain and inflammation around the toenail, and pus formation. The color of pus may be white, yellow, green, or brown. Sometimes, the pus is light pink or red when it is tinged with blood. An infected toenail can cause tissue irritation and subsequent mild bleeding.

The color of toenail pus does not indicate the severity of the infection nor does the consistency of toenail pus. Though the consistency of pus can be thin, it can also be very thick and sticky. This consistency is often referred to as being viscous. When pus formation is noticed around the toenail, the health care provider should be notified quickly. Failure to treat a toenail infection with pus can result in the spread of infection. Symptoms of a toenail infection that has spread include joint pain, fever, chills, and feeling ill.

A bacterial infection causes toenail pus.
A bacterial infection causes toenail pus.

Treatment for toenail pus includes soaking the affected area in warm water throughout the day. The warm water will soothe the pain and decrease redness and inflammation. Furthermore, the foot soak will help draw toenail pus out of the tissue and rinse away bacteria. An over-the-counter antibacterial ointment may also be recommended for the infection as might an oral antibiotic.

Ill-fitting shoes may contribute to a toenail infection with pus.
Ill-fitting shoes may contribute to a toenail infection with pus.

Rarely, toenail pus needs to be drained by a health care provider, who will perform the procedure under sterile conditions. This procedure should never be attempted at home because it can worsen the infection and contribute to complications. Occasionally, the health care provider may also need to perform a minor surgical procedure to remove a portion of the toenail that has embedded itself into the tissue. The procedure is generally done with a local anesthetic and then area is then covered with an antibiotic ointment and sterile dressing.

Soaking the feet can help with pain from a toe infection.
Soaking the feet can help with pain from a toe infection.

Wearing ill-fitting shoes or injuring the toe can also contribute to a toenail infection with pus. Diabetics and people who have circulation problems are especially at risk for infection. These people should have their toenails cut by a podiatrist, who is a licensed health care professional specializing in conditions and treatment of the foot. Though toenail infections with pus rarely cause complications, they can occur and may include abscesses, loss of the toenail, tissue damage and permanent changes in the color, shape, and sensitivity of the affected toe.

Discussion Comments

anon992627

Antibiotics will cure the infected area.

anon963548

I think I cut mine too short and my big toe hurts, but only when I touch it and in the corner a little. Pus still comes out sometimes. I don't know what to do. Is it an ingrown toenail or just because I cut them too short?

anon951615

I popped mine and squeezed out as much of the pus as I could last night. Then I squeezed a hydrogen peroxide soaked cotton ball on it, put neosporin on it and a band aid and will do the hydrogen peroxide and neosporin again tonight. I'm hoping it will heal.

ZipLine

@SarahGen-- You were lucky. I had a toenail infection that turned into a large abscess filled with pus. The only option was having it drained at the doctor's office. I also had to take antibiotics for a few days.

My doctor thinks that my diabetes is the underlying cause, so I have to go in for regular checkups now. They want to keep an eye on my feet and legs and check for circulation problems.

My blood sugar is under control but I've had diabetes for over twenty years. I think after years of diabetes, the blood vessels become damaged and foot issues become unavoidable. It's always a good idea to see a doctor when something like a foot abscess or infection happens.

SarahGen

I had toenail pus a few weeks back. I'm not sure what caused mine but I think that tight shoes were the culprit. I didn't do much aside from soaking my feet in hot water with Epsom salt every night. I also applied diluted tea tree oil to the area to help it heal faster.

One day, it popped on it's own. I washed it with soapy water, put antibiotic cream and it healed in a few days. It wasn't a big deal at all.

stoneMason

I cut my toenails a little too much last time and my big toenail bled a little bit. It's been a few days since this incident and this morning, I saw a little bubble of pus at the exact spot. I washed it and put antibiotic cream on it. Should I do anything else?

I don't want to pop it because I don't want to spread bacteria.

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    • A bacterial infection causes toenail pus.
      By: adam88xx
      A bacterial infection causes toenail pus.
    • Ill-fitting shoes may contribute to a toenail infection with pus.
      By: Petro Feketa
      Ill-fitting shoes may contribute to a toenail infection with pus.
    • Soaking the feet can help with pain from a toe infection.
      By: Jan Andersen
      Soaking the feet can help with pain from a toe infection.
    • Individuals with diabetes may experience poor circulation in the feet, which may cause them to be more susceptible to foot infections.
      By: Mercedes Fittipaldi
      Individuals with diabetes may experience poor circulation in the feet, which may cause them to be more susceptible to foot infections.
    • Walking barefoot in public places may cause toenail fungus and pus.
      By: Jürgen Fälchle
      Walking barefoot in public places may cause toenail fungus and pus.
    • Toenail injuries that limit mobility may warrant a visit to the podiatrist.
      By: Andrea Arnold
      Toenail injuries that limit mobility may warrant a visit to the podiatrist.