How serious is an infected toenail?

[InBetweenDays]

DH has an ingrown toenail that has become infected. I knew he should have had it looked at last week but of course he didn't. It's tender, swollen, red, and there is pus under the skin near the toenail. It was warm to the touch  on Thursday but it no longer is. Think it is something that can wait until Monday? Go to urgent care tomorrow? 

[pixy0stix]

I can tell you what dh does, which isn't necessarily what you should do. If he can, he cuts then pulls the ingrown out, squeezes the puss out, and then puts triple antibiotic ointment on it. Sometimes he has to have the toenail surgically removed.

[InBetweenDays]

Oh my gosh that sounds painful. We ended up calling the on call doctor who recommended he just soak it in epsom salts and if it isn't better by Monday make an appointment.

DH was considering going to the ER. He hadn't been to the doctor in YEARS and I finally got him to find a primary care physician. Next thing I know he's considering the ER for an infected toenail. He also didn't know that calling the on-call doctor was an option, and couldn't believe we didn't have an extra charge for it. Oh, DH.