Paronychia is a skin infection that affects the nail or peringueal tissue. Symptoms include redness, pain and swelling around the nail. Whether it is acute or chronic, it is generally easy to cure. If it is acute, just soak the affected area in warm water a few times a day. If it doesn't improve within a week, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. On the other hand, chronic paronychia is mostly caused by fungal infections and affects several areas. In these cases, the doctor might prescribe an antifungal ointment, and the site may take a few weeks to heal.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Soak the Area in Warm Water
Step 1. Fill a bowl or basin with hot water
In most cases, acute paronychia can be treated by soaking the affected area in warm water a few times a day. If you have to dip a finger, you just need a bowl, while if you have to soak your feet, use a basin. The water should be very hot, but not too hot to burn or bother you.
Acute paronychia is short-lived and develops suddenly. It usually affects only one finger or toe and is often caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pus, and throbbing pain around the nail
Step 2. Add salt or a saline solution if the skin is torn
Plain warm water is only effective if you have some redness and swelling. If you have cut yourself, you can add a few tablespoons of salt, Epsom salts, or a saline solution to the hot water.
- You can use salt even if you don't have any skin lesions. Some people love to keep their feet in warm water with Epsom salts.
- Avoid using denatured alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the affected area as they can slow healing.
Step 3. Soak your feet or hands for 20 minutes, 3-4 times a day
If the water cools before 20 minutes, add more to maintain the temperature or replace the first bowl with another one filled with hot water. Acute paronychia usually disappears after a few days of plain warm water treatment.
The heat of the water increases the blood supply to the affected area and, as a result, helps the body fight the infection
Step 4. Dry the wet area and, if desired, apply petroleum jelly and a bandage
Dry it with a clean towel after soaking it. If the infection is not severe and there is no wound, do not bandage it. If, on the other hand, there is a skin lesion, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or antibacterial ointment and cover everything with a bandage.
- It is not mandatory to bandage the area affected by paronychia, but you should protect the lesion if you work with your hands or if they are exposed to pathogens.
- Remove the bandage before wetting the area with hot water and change it if it gets wet, such as when you wash your hands or take a shower.
- Use a cotton swab to apply the ointment or petroleum jelly. After using it, throw it away and do not put it back into the container if it has come in contact with your skin.
Step 5. Keep your hands clean and avoid biting your nails or sucking your fingers
Wash them regularly with warm, soapy water (not too hot to burn). Although, as a general rule, you should keep them away from your face, it is especially important not to gnaw your nails or suck your fingers when treating paronychia.
- If you are treating your child for the infection and he is able to follow the treatment directions, tell him not to put his hands in his mouth, otherwise the lesion will not heal.
- If he is still too small, do your best to keep him from biting or sucking his fingers. Your pediatrician might prescribe an antibiotic to prevent complications caused by the bacteria in the mouth.
Method 2 of 3: Going for Medical Treatment for Acute Paronychia
Step 1. See your doctor if you have diabetes
If you are diabetic, you should consult it before trying to treat it on your own. Diabetes can impair the body's ability to fight infections, so your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal for you.
Step 2. Call him if symptoms don't improve within a week
If you have had ablutions for a week and your symptoms persist or worsen, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic or antifungal treatment. Go to his office and show him the infection. He may prescribe a culture test to determine the best treatment method.
Step 3. See your doctor if you have an abscess
Call him immediately if you notice an abscess or painful lesion with purulent exudate. He will perform local anesthesia, make a small incision to drain the abscess, and cover the wound with gauze and a bandage. Change the dressing 2 to 3 times a day and keep the area covered for a couple of days.
- The abscess is characterized by a swelling that is sensitive or painful to the touch. If the finger is not affected by this infection, the only symptoms are swelling and inflammation. In the case of an abscess, however, the swelling worsens and causes more pain: you have the impression that an accumulation of substances has formed under the skin. As it develops, a head may begin to pop out, as if it were a pimple, and secrete pus.
- Never drain the abscess on your own. You could expose the area to contact with numerous pathogens or spread the infection.
Step 4. Soak the affected area in warm water 2 days after draining
If the abscess has been drained, keep the area covered and change the dressing regularly over 48 hours. After 2 days, remove the bandage and soak the site in warm water for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day, until symptoms improve.
After 2 days it should start to heal and it will probably not be necessary to bandage it anymore. If the skin is still broken and you want to protect it, bandage it after soaking the area. If you prefer, keep bandaging her until the wound heals
Step 5. Ask your doctor if you need to take an antibiotic
Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the results of the culture test, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic treatment to relieve persistent symptoms or after draining the abscess. Follow the instructions on the dosage and how to use it and do not stop taking it, even if you feel better.
Stopping the antibiotic early could cause the infection to return
Method 3 of 3: Treating Chronic Paronychia
Step 1. Ask your doctor if you need to take an antifungal
Chronic paronychia is usually caused by a fungal infection and often affects multiple fingers or toes. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and spongy or clammy skin. Your doctor will likely order culture and other tests to accurately diagnose this infectious form of paronychia. After that, based on the results, he will tell you the right drug to fight the infection.
- Typically, doctors prescribe a topical antifungal ointment to be applied to the affected areas 2 or 3 times a day. Take any medication as directed by your doctor. It will take several weeks to eradicate the fungal infection.
- You can have both a fungal and bacterial infection at the same time. In these cases, the doctor may prescribe a more articulated drug therapy.
Step 2. Keep your hands clean and dry
Wash them regularly, even before applying the antifungal ointment. Always dry them thoroughly, even if they accidentally get wet. Avoid keeping them moist during your daily activities.
Make sure you keep them away from your face and mouth
Step 3. Wear gloves if you have to touch irritants
It is difficult to avoid exposure to water and products that contain irritants when working behind a bar, washing dishes and cleaning the house. You must protect your hands if they get wet continuously or are subject to contact with chemicals. If you can, wear 2 pairs of gloves: one made of cotton to absorb moisture and another made of vinyl or rubber to repel water and chemicals.
You must wear gloves when symptoms appear. You may want to wear them even when you can't help but continually expose your hands to moisture or irritating chemicals. They will help you prevent further infectious episodes of chronic paronychia
Step 4. Learn about surgery if you can't do without it
If the infection spreads under the fingernails or if symptoms persist despite treatment, minor surgery is likely to be required. The doctor may need to partially or completely remove the nail and apply antifungal ointment to the nail bed.
- You will need to rest and avoid using the affected finger for 2 days after the nail is removed. Try to keep it raised above the height of the heart to prevent bleeding and throbbing pain. Take pain relievers prescribed by your doctor following his instructions.
- Be careful not to get the dressing wet and replace it within 1-7 days. Your doctor will tell you how long you will need to keep the bandage on and how to change it.
