A cut on the bottom of my foot?

Question

I stepped on a sharp piece of shell on the beach and it broke off in my foot, and the cut was bleeding. I picked the bits out with tweezers but there may still be some tiny grains of sand in there...

I antibacterialized it and put neosporin and a bandage.

But it hurts... especially to walk on

its not swollen but it hurts.

how would I know if its really infected

and what can I do for it?

Answer 1

Signs of infection are going to be any discolored discharge coming from the wound, warmness to the area, any swelling around the area, fever or if it is not healing. It wouldn't get infected immediately but if not taken care of properly then it could get infected. make sure the area stays clean and dry change the bandage daily and make sure to use neosporin. If you have any of the symptoms listed above you should see a doc. I would take some ibuprofen for the pain.

Answer 2

Naturally it hurts, especially when you walk on it.

Keep it bandaged with neosporin until it heals; that should keep the wound open so any foreign objects will come out on their own; it will also prevent infection.

If you see pus or if it becomes more painful or very swollen, it's infected.  A little inflammation is part of normal healing.

Another thing you can do to speed healing is to soak your foot in hot water for 5 minutes, then thrust it into cold water for 1 minute.  This stimulates the circulation of blood and especially lymph, which is a real boost to natural healing.