PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A Portland woman is suing Kaiser Permanente after her podiatrist allegedly injected her with rubbing alcohol instead of a local anesthetic.

Sarah Blackman suffered from two ingrown toenails, one on the second toe of each foot. On Jan. 29, she visited her podiatrist at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro to have each of the toenails removed.

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According to the complaint, Blackman's doctor injected her with 4cc of 70% isopropyl alcohol in each toe instead of lidocaine before pulling her toenails off without anesthetic.

She said she screamed and cried, but the doctor did not stop or address why she was in so much pain. Blackman said she begged the doctor not to continue with the second toe, but he told her she should "just get it over with," and that he was in a rush to leave.

The doctor finished the procedure without ever administering anything for pain. Blackman said neither the doctor nor any staff disclosed to her at the time that 70% isopropyl alcohol had been injected instead of anesthesia.

After she went home, the pain continued, according to Blackman. She said her toes had a constant sensation of burning and throbbing. Her feet began to swell and turn red, and the skin on the two toes that were treated began to change color, ooze and peel. She went to the emergency room on Feb. 7, but the staff was unable to understand how a toenail removal procedure could cause what was happening. She was admitted to Kaiser hospital, where she was treated for two days for infection and tissue necrosis.

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A month later, on March 3, Kaiser staff contacted Blackman and notified her that she was injected with isopropyl alcohol rather than anesthesia. They reportedly said she would receive a letter of explanation. Despite repeated attempts by Blackman and her attorney, no letter was provided.

Blackman and her husband, who is also named in the lawsuit, are seeking $13 million in damages for personal injury, negligence, medical malpractice and loss of consortium.

When reached for comment on Monday, a spokesperson declined to comment. They also would not say whether there was any internal investigation into the matter, or whether any action has been taken against the podiatrist.

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