Sepsis fears from toothpick?

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Hey everyone, sorry to be back here again, but I'm wide awake in a panic. 

This past Saturday I had accidentally jabbed my foot with a toothpick, of which I promptly pulled out. Since that evening I've been in pain when I put pressure on the area but I've been doing my best to keep it clean and all that jazz and today it's become marginally less painful. 

That is until I noticed some subtle redness moving away from the wound site and another spot that looks as though it's on the side of my foot going up. Now in some pictures and light it doesn't look connected and my rational side wants to agree with that, but I can't shake this feeling it's infected and I'm going to die because of a stupid toothpick. Someone help talk me down please, I don't feel sick (Had gotten over a cold a month ago) and I'd rather not have to go broke at the doctors for nothing. 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

https://imgur.com/a/ntz5lpT

Sorry I'm having trouble attaching photos but here's a picture of the trouble area. It looks like there's no streaking but on the same token, I'm not sure where those red marks came from. surely if this was something to worry about there would be something more defined right? 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Not sure if this helps me but the area can be blanched and septic marks can't do that. Am I good? I don't feel sick but I'm cautious 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Anyone? If this gets worse I'm seeing a doctor 

[Ironman 192]

4 hours ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

Anyone? If this gets worse I'm seeing a doctor 

I doubt sepsis would occur from a toothpick.  It's not even metal, so there isn't a problem.  

I had a piece of wood shoot up underneath my fingernail and was lodged there for nearly a month before I slid it out - to my shock, it was there.

There was never any real infection despite it hurting.  If you keep it clean, you should be okay.  

I would just keep it clean.  Monitor it a bit.  

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

1 hour ago, Ironman said:

I doubt sepsis would occur from a toothpick.  It's not even metal, so there isn't a problem.  

I had a piece of wood shoot up underneath my fingernail and was lodged there for nearly a month before I slid it out - to my shock, it was there.

There was never any real infection despite it hurting.  If you keep it clean, you should be okay.  

I would just keep it clean.  Monitor it a bit.  

I have an update:

First, updated picture: UPDATED PIC

Second I told my mom about it and she said hold off on visiting urgent care yet and she dressed the wound and noted there was inflammation in the area but had to look hard for any red marks I was afraid of. I did, after onset of the toothpick and getting it out, dig around the area for a toothpick splinter, I forgot to mention that in my post as I was in a panic. 

I don't feel any fever, chills (Beyond the seasonal weather) or any other symptoms beyond pain in the area. It's that darn mark that has me scared to the point of writing my will of drowning myself in debt. I blame endless googling for my somewhat justified fears. I just know sepsis comes hard and fast and red marks from the wound is the first classic sign

EDIT: Let's say my wound was infected, what's the reasonable risk of getting septic

[Ironman 192]

1 hour ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

I have an update:

First, updated picture: UPDATED PIC

Second I told my mom about it and she said hold off on visiting urgent care yet and she dressed the wound and noted there was inflammation in the area but had to look hard for any red marks I was afraid of. I did, after onset of the toothpick and getting it out, dig around the area for a toothpick splinter, I forgot to mention that in my post as I was in a panic. 

I don't feel any fever, chills (Beyond the seasonal weather) or any other symptoms beyond pain in the area. It's that darn mark that has me scared to the point of writing my will of drowning myself in debt. I blame endless googling for my somewhat justified fears. I just know sepsis comes hard and fast and red marks from the wound is the first classic sign

EDIT: Let's say my wound was infected, what's the reasonable risk of getting septic

First of all, it's been three days.  the inflammation is likely the body trying to heal itself.  I don't think sepsis would be an issue at all since there is a wound.  Sepsis involves something that enters the bloodstream.  At worst, you probably would have had pus coming out as white blood cells would have fought infection at that point.  Wood isn't the same as rusty metal, so you are definitely good in that area - no tetanus danger, so you wouldn't need a shot.  I have stepped on pieces of glass and never worried about it.

The pain is healing in progress.   Just keep your foot clean and wear a sock - perhaps shoes - for protection.  

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

What about the red marks? I believe it's called lymphangitis if it's what I think it is? I suppose by not mentioning it in your replies you can't see anything unusual. 

The toothpick was used, I have a habit of using them, and my messing about likely didn't help matters. The pain is weird though, sometimes it feels like it's better but other times it's painful. 

Thank you for the replies so far, it's helping me big time 

[Ironman 192]

19 minutes ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

What about the red marks? I believe it's called lymphangitis if it's what I think it is? I suppose by not mentioning it in your replies you can't see anything unusual. 

The toothpick was used, I have a habit of using them, and my messing about likely didn't help matters. The pain is weird though, sometimes it feels like it's better but other times it's painful. 

Thank you for the replies so far, it's helping me big time 

The red marks are part of the wound and nerves.  That's normal.

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

10 minutes ago, Ironman said:

The red marks are part of the wound and nerves.  That's normal.

There's also the fact they haven't really grown since I first noticed them. I just see everyone making a big deal over those lines screaming hospital or urgent care you know 

 

I'll keep you updated if something worse happens or better

 

[Ironman 192]

31 minutes ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

There's also the fact they haven't really grown since I first noticed them. I just see everyone making a big deal over those lines screaming hospital or urgent care you know 

 

I'll keep you updated if something worse happens or better

 

The infection only goes so far - the fact that it hasn't spread is the best sign.  I think you're good - it'll just be sore as it heals.

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Yeah I think that's the ticket TBH. The fact it hasn't shot up my leg or anything. Looking at comparison pictures can be nightmarish along with the hysterics of "OMG RED LINE GO TO THE ER YESTERDAY"

Still, I'm going to keep an eye on it, anything to help it heal faster would be super welcome. 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Little follow up: No change in the "streaks" but that area is a little itchy, but not consistently so. 

There's still tenderness in the original sore, it almost feels like a bee sting, which makes me wonder if I went beyond skin deep with that puncture lol. It's mostly like that when I try to walk normally, but I can wiggle my toes just fine. Go figure 

Just little oddities that, while I'm nowhere near panic stricken as I was this morning, show I'm not out of the woods just yet. 

[Holls 1505]

When my wounds get itchy I was always told that's a sign of healing. I wasn't concerned with the red areas "streaks" near the area. Looks like just an area that has a wound.. I understand your panic, that's why we are all here but I 100% know you are okay. 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Just now, Holls said:

When my wounds get itchy I was always told that's a sign of healing. I wasn't concerned with the red areas "streaks" near the area. Looks like just an area that has a wound.. I understand your panic, that's why we are all here but I 100% know you are okay. 

The itch has stopped for the most part, it was just a little tinge. I take it you looked at my pics? I got another one I'm uploading now. 

FWIW I took a Tylenol and while the localized swelling is still there, the pain has more or less gone away. No clue if it was the Tylenol that did it or what but I'll take it. I want the swelling to go, I never had this happen before lol. 

Updated pic (Anxious area highlighted): https://imgur.com/a/PO43DIC

[Holls 1505]

I just looked at your new picture. Honestly if you didn't circle it and point to it I wouldn't have noticed. We def notice more because of our anxiety but I definitely don't see anything to be concerned with..it you feel that it's still a bit swollen I would put a frozen bag of veggies (I do peas lol)  on it for 15 min here and there. That will help with any pain as well. I'm really big on epsom salt. It helps ease pain and gets rid of any skin type issues I have. Worked wonders for an abscess I had years ago. Hugs. I know you are worried but you are fine. I promise. I'm glad the Tylenol helped with the pain. I bet it looks better/ might be completely gone by this time tomorrow. 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Morning update: No pic this time, not necessary. 

Feels like some of the swelling has gone down a touch, but some still remains, as expected. Pain isn't as intense, just need to be careful how I walk. The "marks" I was upset about are basically nothing so I scared myself into a panic with the help of nefarious Dr. Google and Nurse Reddit. All told, I think I'm gonna be okay, and I have Ironman and Holls to thank for keeping me in check. 

I'll give the frozen veggie trick a go later, see if it helps me out some. 

[Holls 1505]

14 hours ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

Morning update: No pic this time, not necessary. 

Feels like some of the swelling has gone down a touch, but some still remains, as expected. Pain isn't as intense, just need to be careful how I walk. The "marks" I was upset about are basically nothing so I scared myself into a panic with the help of nefarious Dr. Google and Nurse Reddit. All told, I think I'm gonna be okay, and I have Ironman and Holls to thank for keeping me in check. 

I'll give the frozen veggie trick a go later, see if it helps me out some. 

I'm so glad it's better and your fears are gone..I know you are so relieved to put this worry behind you. Big hugs. 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Well I wouldn't say my fears are *totally* gone. Last night I had a headache and felt chills, which spooked me since they said that could be signs of an infection spreading. 

However I think the headache came from the Tylenol as I'm normal now. 

The marks I was concerned about are still there, one seems to have decreased but the other one's standing firm lol but no progression, so I still think it being potentially septic is not true. 

the wound itself is getting progressively less painful but it still hurts to walk on, as expected, but the swelling is going down little by little. 

So while I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm not out yet. I thank y'all for your patience tho

[Ironman 192]

3 hours ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

Well I wouldn't say my fears are *totally* gone. Last night I had a headache and felt chills, which spooked me since they said that could be signs of an infection spreading. 

However I think the headache came from the Tylenol as I'm normal now. 

The marks I was concerned about are still there, one seems to have decreased but the other one's standing firm lol but no progression, so I still think it being potentially septic is not true. 

the wound itself is getting progressively less painful but it still hurts to walk on, as expected, but the swelling is going down little by little. 

So while I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm not out yet. I thank y'all for your patience tho

 Your body would have a far different reaction after five days if you had sepsis.  You're going to be fine.  Keep the area clean.

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Okay I was hoping this would be the end of it, the initial sore is still slowly but surely healing and getting less swollen, which is a plus. 

However I noticed this: UPDATE (I hope this is the last one I send, I'm not cut out to be a foot model) 

Does it look like it has two bits starting to branch off there? Or am I seeing things? That said I noticed that mark wasn't actually connected to the main sore, at least upon looking at my old pics. It almost looks like a separate spot entirely. 

I really don't want to spiral back to thinking I got a hot date with Death on the River Styx, especially since I've been doing so good. What do y'all think? 

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

Another question: Would scratching at the area make it worse? Or maybe wearing shoes? Obvious question I know but I want to be sure lymphangitis and therefore sepsis is off the table. The former I heard spreads in 24 hours but could it take longer? I know speed is its key but again, trying to rule out things here. 

I ask because sometimes it looks "redder" in person than on camera, hence why I'm not sharing a photo (It hasn't chanced since the one above this post.)

Any more input would be helpful, my initial sore though is almost pretty much good, at least where I can walk normally. 

[Ironman 192]

4 hours ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

Okay I was hoping this would be the end of it, the initial sore is still slowly but surely healing and getting less swollen, which is a plus. 

However I noticed this: UPDATE (I hope this is the last one I send, I'm not cut out to be a foot model) 

Does it look like it has two bits starting to branch off there? Or am I seeing things? That said I noticed that mark wasn't actually connected to the main sore, at least upon looking at my old pics. It almost looks like a separate spot entirely. 

I really don't want to spiral back to thinking I got a hot date with Death on the River Styx, especially since I've been doing so good. What do y'all think? 

At worst, there would be blood inside the foot, similar to a bruise, occurring.  The blood is fading, though.

[Ironman 192]

3 hours ago, AbeLinkedIn said:

Another question: Would scratching at the area make it worse? Or maybe wearing shoes? Obvious question I know but I want to be sure lymphangitis and therefore sepsis is off the table. The former I heard spreads in 24 hours but could it take longer? I know speed is its key but again, trying to rule out things here. 

I ask because sometimes it looks "redder" in person than on camera, hence why I'm not sharing a photo (It hasn't chanced since the one above this post.)

Any more input would be helpful, my initial sore though is almost pretty much good, at least where I can walk normally. 

Irritation causes redness, but it wouldn't be from shoes.  Scratching won't accomplish anything but inflammation - let it itch, it's healing.

[AbeLinkedIn 41]

I think rationally I'm fine, if it was what I feared, it would've spread much further IIRC. The swelling is going down slowly but it's noticeable at least, though my calve is aching because I've had to walk awkwardly this past week so I don't think "that's" anything to fear