What is Paronychia?

One of the most common types of nail infection begins at the edge of the fingernail or toenail but can progress to infect the entire toe or finger is called Paronychia. 

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If the nail has been injured by trauma such as pulling a hangnail, nail biting, excessive dishwashing or chemical irritation, common bacteria can enter the area between the finger and the nail and cause an infection. 

If this infection is not treated then the paronychia can spread throughout the affected toe and finger and will require a more invasive means to treat the infection and can lead to reoccurring infections.

The symptoms of the Paronychia infection include a swelling and redness to the area, pus and pain or tenderness to the touch.  The swelling and redness stage is called cellulitis and will become very sore to the touch. 

The second stage is the collection of a yellow-green fluid (pus) which is called an abscess.  At this point the infection is generally treatable at home; however, be sure to keep an eye on the progression of the infection to avoid it spreading. 

To treat the infection at home, do so at the first signs of redness and swelling; however, it is often still treatable at home at the first stages of abscess. 

Soak your affected nail in a mixture of equal parts water and antibacterial soap for 15 minutes sessions three times a day.   Additionally, treating the affected area with tea tree oil before bed will help fight and cure the infection. If the redness extends past the sides or ends of the finger or toe it is advisable to seek medical attention. 

This will indicate the infection may be spreading deeper into the tissues of the finger or toe. 

Often an abscess will form and grow quickly and medical attention may be required to drain the pus. 

Never attempt to drain the puss at home; this can lead to further infection.  If the redness extends in a line up your arm or up your leg, you detect a fever or stiffness sets into the joints seek emergency assistance immediately.

Should medical attention be needed for paronychia you will likely experience the doctor first using lidocaine to numb the area before lacerating the pustule to drain the pus.

Often a wick is placed in the infected area to allow drainage to continue and to prevent the incision to close reforming a pustule. 

The wick is generally left in place 24 to 48 hours before the doctor would likely check your healing progress and remove the wick.  If left untreated too long the infection can move under the nail bed and require a partial or complete removal of the nail. 

In most cases the doctor will then treat the infection in similar ways you would treat at home and oral antibiotics are rarely needed.

Avoiding paronychia is generally simple; do not bite your nails, always clip a hangnail and never pull it, wear protective gloves when in excessive amounts of water such as dishwashing or cleaning and keep your hands and nails clean using non petroleum based lotions to keep the hands, feet and nails moisturized and healthy. 

If you find you have cuts or abrasions in the folds and areas of the nail it is important to keep the area clean and treat the cuts and abrasions with an antibacterial salve to promote healing.