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Paronychia
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A paronychia (PAIR-uh-NIK-ee-uh) is an infection of the
skin around a fingernail or toenail. With treatment, the
disease will be gone in 2 weeks to 6 months. However, these
infections sometimes return.
Causes
The infection can be caused by
either bacteria or a fungus. A bacterial paronychia may follow
an injury, such as a torn hangnail. A fungal paronychia results
from growth of fungus or yeast.
Signs/Symptoms
Signs of a bacterial paronychia
include pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, warmth, and
itching of the skin around the nail. Some of the skin may be
pus-filled. A fungal paronychia is also accompanied by swelling
and redness around the fingernail, but does not produce warmth,
pain, pus, or itching.
Care
If there is pus around the nail,
you may need an antibiotic to treat the infection. If the
infection is severe, your doctor may need to make a cut in the
area to let it drain.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, take it
exactly as directed. For pain or fever, you may use
over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or
ibuprofen.
-
Soak the nail in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes, 5
or 6 times a day, for several days.
-
If the nail has been bandaged, keep the bandage dry
until it is changed for the first time. Then start soaking
the nail before applying each new
bandage.
-
To decrease swelling, elevate your hand or foot on a
pillow whenever possible.
-
To prevent further infections, protect your hands.
Wear gloves when your hands are in water, when you are
using irritating chemicals, or when you might injure your
fingertips.
-
Leave hangnails alone. Carefully trim your nails, but
avoid cutting them too short.
Call Your Doctor If...
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You develop a high temperature.
-
The pain gets worse.
-
The swelling increases--especially if it affects the
whole tip of the finger or toe.
-
You notice red streaks coming from the infected
area.
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It's just time for all of us to come up with a new name for this... Read more
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