An infection
that develops along the edge of the fingernail or toenail is called a paronychia (pear-ah-NIK-ee-ah).
It is the most common hand infection and, if left untreated, can progress to a
more severe infection of the entire finger or toe.
Paronychia
are most often caused by common skin bacteria entering the skin around the nail
that has been damaged by trauma, such as nail biting, finger sucking,
dishwashing, or chemical irritants. Fungal infection also can be a cause of
paronychia formation, and should be considered especially in people with
recurrent infection. Paronychia should not be confused with herpetic whitlow,
which can form tiny pustules on the finger and is caused by a virus but is not
typically located at the nail edge. Herpetic whitlow is not treated with an
incision and drainage and therefore needs to be distinguished from a
paronychia.
A paronychia
may start as redness and swelling around the nail. It is most often very sore
to the touch and, at times, may be a yellow-green color, indicating that a
collection of pus has formed under the skin (called an abscess).
The most
common symptoms and signs are the following:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pus collection
- Pain and tenderness to touch
Hot Water
At home, you
can treat bacterial paronychia by soaking your hands or feet in hot water for
about 15 minutes. Do this three to four times a day. It will help provide
relief from the pain and the swelling. You can also add an antibacterial soap
to the mix. Ideally, this should be done when the first signs of redness or
swelling appear. If pus drains from the nail, use a tissue to absorb the pus
and clean the area. Wash the hand or foot with warm soapy water, dry it gently
and then apply hydrogen peroxide solution to the nail. This will help to
prevent further infection of the nail.
For fungal
infections you should keep dry your hands and feet thoroughly after washing.
Dry your hands and feet after you wash them and use a little dusting powder to
absorb any excess moisture. Avoid immersing the affected nail in water for long
periods of time. Abstain from swimming till such time as the infection clears.
Your doctor will be able to prescribe antifungal ointments and lotions that you
can apply to the affected areas.
Vinegar
You can also
soak the affected nail in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water for
15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this three to four times a day. A lotion made of two
parts of oregano oil and one part of olive oil can be applied to the affected
area. Consult your doctor before trying any of these home remedies as they
could interact with any medicated ointments you might be using.
REMEMBER
Keeping the
affected area dry assists healing. Wearing gloves when working in water or
chemicals and applying barrier creams keep moisture out while the cuticle
heals. To prevent paronychia, individuals should avoid biting their nails,
cutting or tearing the cuticles, having artificial nails applied, or having
cuticles removed. Diabetics should manage their blood sugar levels carefully.
Everyone should practice good hand washing and avoid sharing towels with others
to avoid the spread of infection.