Left Big Toe...

[sandyRoe]

Swollen, with the skin red and slightly shiny, and very painful. I'd been working in the garden and initially thought I'd injured my back and the sore toe was a symptom of my sciatica returning. But the inflamed look doesn't seem to be something that comes with sciatica.
Apart from taking things easy, and taking pain killers, any suggestions?

[Sqad]

\\any suggestions?\\
Yes. could be gout OR acute arthritis. Whichever..Ibuprofen 600 mgs every six hours if necessary.

[anneasquith]

keep the foot elevated, watch out for any cuts/breakage in the skin., you poor thing, x

[woofgang]

could you have picked up a thorn or splinter in the toe?

[sandyRoe]

'A thorn or a splinter...' There's never an Androcles about when you need one.
Thank you for the sympathy, annieasquith.
Gout? But I hardly ever drink port and I'm not a choleric old colonel.

[anneasquith]

right,,, is the skin broken. is the swelling increasing, is it less/more red and shiny. have analgesia helped the pain ?

[pixie373]

Infection?

[woofgang]

sandy, thats a myth I am afraid (gout and port and choleric old colonels)

[sandyRoe]

The skin's not broken, pain-killers have worked, and the inflammation seems to be reducing. It's not for me to say, but I think it may be arthritis as I've also been getting fairly severe pain in my wrists

[anneasquith]

good. just keep an eye on the swelling/redness. and get the talkative wee man to cut your grass. take care.

[sandyRoe]

I don't usually post pictures of my extremities on the new but thought this might help with a diagnosis.
Please excuse the colour of the feet, they haven't had their weekly wash.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zmfgas&s=8

[sandyRoe]

On the net, rather than on the new ^

[Sqad]

Still could be either acute arthritis or gout, but my money is on gout.
Treatment the same.

[shoota]

You've got tiles.
Don't worry you can get cream for that.....

[sandyRoe]

Daer God, gout! That's all I need. Could I get a Bath Chair on the NHS?

[shoota]

Chacun a son gout.

[anneasquith]

shoota, can you look at the pic again and tell me if you see reference to ''Hitler '' ?

[shoota]

S.H. across the top.....

[shoota]

Wonder if it's picked up the tile pattern?

[anneasquith]

what are you seeing ? im seeing,, Tags ..........................................

[aelmpvw]

what are the chances of taking a selfie of your foot and getting a tag for heil hitler?