Foot Injury: Need assistance?

I had to be a "bada**" yesterday and jump off my jetski without consideration of how shallow the lake could be. When doing so I stepped and quickily realized the rocks on the bottom. Somehow, I cut the top of my foot trying to get out the swamp in the lake. I assume it was a sharp edge of a rock since there was a deep gash in my foot when I got out.

It didn't bleed much, but now the central area (right below my toes) is swollen and red and my toe next to the pinky toe also is cut. I tried to wash out the blackness in my gash as much as I can without wailing (I have such low pain tolerance) but it still remains, even with trying to clean it with alcohol. I had assumed it was a bruise, but why is it red? It seems to get harder to walk on it, each passing hour. Currently, still swollen, red and painful.

I just started this job, so I have no insurance and no money to see a podiatrist. Any in the Yahoo Answers willing to give a diagnosis, quick? :)

Yep, swelling and redness sounds like an infection to me. You might first try cleaning it with some peroxide which shouldn't hurt much. Then bandage it with an antibiotic salve like Bacitracin or any other store brand antibiotic. But if it doesn't look better in five days or so, your only choice may be an emergency room or a family doctor where you could get stronger antibiotics. Just don't fool around too long because the more infected it gets, the harder it will be to cure.

It's possible to not only have an infection, but the lacking of being able to apply pressure, to have a broken foot as well. Unfortunately the best answer will be to either to go an Emergency room or find a Convenient Care clinic where they work on a sliding fee scale.

Soak the foot in Epsom salts and keep it elevated. Tylenol will help with inflammation as well.