Paronychia – How to Get Rid of Paronychia
Among the most common skin diseases, Paronychia is a type of rash that develops on the arms, legs or other parts of the body. It can be a fairly simple rash, or it can be complicated and can result in pain, infection, and other complications. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments for this type of rash. Read on to learn more!
Symptoms
Symptoms of paronychia include swelling, redness, and pain. The infection usually affects the skin around the toenail, but can spread to other parts of the body.
In most cases, the infection is not serious. However, if the infection persists, it may indicate an underlying skin condition or allergy. In more serious cases, the infection may require prescription antifungal treatment.
If you have symptoms of paronychia, you should see a doctor immediately. If the infection appears to be spreading, your doctor may drain the blister or abscess. After that, you may need to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
The infection is usually caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungus. Your doctor may recommend anti-fungal medicines or prescription creams to treat the infection.
You should also avoid injury and trauma to the nail area. You should wear comfortable shoes to prevent pressure on the toenail. You should also avoid picking and scraping the cuticle. If you notice that the infection is spreading to the finger pad, you may need to see a dermatologist.
If the infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor may recommend an antibiotic or steroid cream. However, you should avoid using pain relievers and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). If these medications are not taken correctly, they can cause kidney problems. Also, they may cause stomach bleeding.
If the infection is caused by a fungus, your doctor may drain the infection or prescribe an anti-fungal medicine. You should also avoid wearing shoes or socks that rub against the infected area. Depending on the severity of your infection, your doctor may remove the infected tissue or nail.
A doctor will also examine your nails for signs of a fungal infection. Taking good care of your hands will help prevent paronychia. However, the infection may return if you neglect to take care of the nail area. You should also wear rubber gloves when you are in the water.
If you have a medical condition, you may be at higher risk for paronychia. For example, people with diabetes, weakened immune systems, or a history of trauma to the nail may develop the infection.
Diagnosis
Taking proper care of your hands is one of the best ways to prevent chronic paronychia. If you are at risk, you should consult your doctor. He can look for risk factors and prescribe treatment accordingly.
During the diagnosis of paronychia, a doctor will take into account your medical history. If your history indicates that you are at risk, you may be asked to wear gloves. When possible, use rubber gloves with an inner cotton glove.
Your doctor may prescribe a topical ointment or oral antibiotic. You may also need a digital pressure test to determine the severity of your condition. A doctor may also order an x-ray to rule out osseous pathology.
A doctor may also drain pus from an abscess. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need to have a surgical procedure performed. The aim of this procedure is to drain the purulent collection and prevent the infection from worsening.
If you have a bacterial nail infection, it may be hard to treat at home. A doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic such as dicloxacillin. In more severe cases, oral steroids may be required.
You should also consider getting a test for yeast. Yeast infection can be treated with antifungal medicine. This type of infection can take several months to heal. A sample of your nail clipping can be sent for culture and sensitivity testing. You may also have a potassium hydroxide 5% smear, which can help identify Candida infections.
In the case of chronic paronychia, the infection is likely to be caused by a fungus. If you have any suspicion of a fungal infection, you should seek treatment immediately.
Your doctor may also recommend that you have a Gram stain performed. This will determine if the infection is caused by a bacterium or a fungus.
A doctor may also recommend that you wear gloves and avoid contact with germs. You should also keep your hands and feet dry. Taking good care of your hands is the best way to prevent paronychia.
A physician may also be able to diagnose paronychia based on your physical examination. If your doctor determines that your nail folds are affected, you may be referred to a specialist.
Treatment
Surgical and topical treatment of paronychia can help prevent painful episodes of acute inflammation. However, there is little consensus among experts as to which of these techniques is the best for treating paronychia.
Surgical treatment involves the removal of the chronically inflamed nail folds and the nail plate. This allows for the penetration of topical medications and a healing response.
The goal of surgical treatment is to cure paronychia. In most cases, this can be accomplished through drainage. For cases where drainage is not sufficient, the incision may be made.
Topical antibiotics and steroid creams may be used for chronic paronychia. Generally, the use of topical steroids is more effective than antifungals. Anti-fungals may have anti-inflammatory properties, but steroid creams are better at treating redness and swelling.
If the infection does not respond to topical or oral antibiotics, the patient may be referred to a physician who can use specialized culture techniques. A pus culture may be necessary to identify the pathogen and determine the appropriate treatment. If the infection continues to progress, the patient should be referred for a biopsy.
If the infection is mild, the doctor will usually recommend conservative treatment. This includes soaking the affected area in warm water. This can help to resolve the infection and prevent the development of a pus abscess. Using warm compresses can also help with this.
If the infection does not respond to antibiotics or topical treatment, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics. Oral antibiotics are typically given for five days. These antibiotics should include beta-lactamase-producing oral anaerobic bacteria and S. aureus.
Topical steroids are also effective at treating mild paronychia. These can be applied twice a day for two to four weeks. The doctor may also prescribe intralesional steroids for resistant cases.
Acute paronychia is a short-term infection that usually affects only one finger. It may occur due to penetrating trauma or bacterial infection. This infection is often accompanied by throbbing pain around the nail. This infection may also involve the nail folds and cause a floating nail.
Chronic paronychia is a condition that presents as swelling and redness. It is more common in people who work with their hands. It may be caused by bacteria and yeast like candida.
Complications
Various types of diseases can develop in the skin near your fingernail. One of the most common is paronychia, a skin infection. If left untreated, this infection can lead to serious complications. A person suffering from paronychia may experience a number of symptoms, including swelling, bruising, redness, and pain. If the infection continues, it can spread to other parts of the body.
Paronychia can also be a symptom of other health conditions, including herpes simplex, lichen planus, and psoriasis. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek medical treatment. Your doctor will likely prescribe a topical corticosteroid ointment or an oral antifungal drug. If your condition is caused by a herpes simplex infection, your doctor may also prescribe aciclovir therapy. If you are having a bacterial infection, you may be given antibiotics such as erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline.
If your infection is mild, you may be able to treat it yourself by using a warm water soak. However, if the infection is severe, your doctor may need to drain the pus. You may also need to have a surgical incision made. A doctor may also prescribe oral steroids for this condition.
Chronic paronychia is an inflammation of the skin and nail folds. This condition can cause brittle nails and can lead to permanent damage to your fingernail. It can also cause nail dystrophy, a condition that affects several nails at once.
If you experience paronychia, you should avoid certain activities that might cause further infections. You should also wear rubber gloves and emollient creams. Wear comfortable shoes that don’t put pressure on your toenail. If you have diabetes, you should check your urine for sugar. This will help your doctor determine if you have the disease.
Chronic paronychia can be treated for months or even years. You may be prescribed antifungals, antibiotics, or topical steroids. You may also have to undergo surgery to remove your fingernail. Surgical procedures include eponychial marsupialization, a procedure in which the skin around the nail fold is removed. This procedure is effective for recalcitrant chronic paronychia.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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