How to deal with infant paronychia swelling?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 03, 2024
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If infants clearly have paronychia, it is imperative to take the child to a pediatric surgery department as soon as possible for wound treatment. The doctor will disinfect the wound. If the swelling is particularly severe and there is already pus deep within, it will also be necessary to incise and drain the wound for thorough disinfection and debridement. Once the infection is under control, the wound should be properly bandaged. The dressing should be changed every two to three days until the wound has completely healed, after which disinfection can be stopped. Therefore, it is essential to seek treatment at a pediatric surgery department and have the dressings changed professionally. Parents should not attempt to handle it by themselves.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How to remove granulation tissue from paronychia

For polyps caused by paronychia that repeatedly flare up and are quite obvious, surgical methods are necessary for complete correction. Surgical options include nail groove plasty and lateral nail fold incision, both of which are effective treatments for severe paronychia. If the polyp from paronychia is not severe, it can be treated with topical medications to shrink the polyp and reduce swelling. Commonly used medications include skin and mucous membrane disinfectants such as povidone-iodine, and continuous damp dressing with medical alcohol can be applied to further reduce swelling, which is beneficial for muscle atrophy. Highly concentrated saline solution or phenol can also be used for local scalding through continuous damp dressing. The growth of a polyp in paronychia indicates repeated inflammatory irritation, which leads to local proliferation, so it is essential to address paronychia promptly when it occurs.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What to use for swelling of paronychia?

Paronychia, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain, can be treated by applying iodine tincture for local disinfection and cleansing, which helps reduce swelling. Under a doctor’s guidance, anti-inflammatory ointments such as compounded polymyxin B, fusidic acid cream, or mupirocin ointment can also be applied. For severe redness, swelling, and pain, oral antibiotics may be administered in conjunction with the treatments mentioned above to reduce inflammation. It is important to follow a medically supervised and proper regimen when using antibiotics and to increase water intake during treatment. If the paronychia is caused by an ingrown nail piercing into the nail fold, trimming the nail may relieve the local swelling and pain. It is recommended to seek treatment at a professional hospital. Paronychia is a common condition, and taking preventive measures can help avoid its onset.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How to treat paronychia

For acute paronychia, broad-spectrum antibiotics are mainly used for topical application. Options include mupirocin ointment, fusidic acid cream, or erythromycin ointment for symptomatic treatment. At the same time, it is important to wear loose shoes to avoid squeezing the foot and worsening the symptoms. If there is no improvement in symptoms after three days of using topical medications, surgical treatment may be considered based on the specific situation. For chronic paronychia, antibacterial or antifungal medications may be used. Medication should be gradually discontinued after the inflammation has subsided. During treatment, keep the affected area dry and avoid contact with water. Paronychia refers to an infection of the tissue surrounding the nail, typically presenting with localized swelling and pain.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Can paronychia heal by itself?

Paronychia, if not severe, generally heals on its own. There are many causes of paronychia, which is usually induced by bacterial or fungal infections. Most patients can recover by themselves, but for recurrent paronychia, it is important to identify the triggers and causes, and take the corresponding symptomatic treatment. For bacterial infections, active anti-infection treatment should be taken, such as applying Mupirocin ointment or Fusidic acid cream locally. If it is caused by a fungal infection, antifungal treatment is needed, such as applying Oxiconazole nitrate ointment or using Compound Ketoconazole cream, etc. It is important to maintain local skin hygiene to prevent the condition from worsening, leading to pus formation or nail loss. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What should I do if the paronychia is draining pus at home?

Paronychia is mostly caused by nail ingrowth into the flesh or local trauma, and can be treated at home with topical povidone-iodine disinfection and mupirocin ointment application if pus appears. Additionally, oral cephalosporin antibiotics can be taken to help healing gradually. However, paronychia tends to recur frequently. Once it occurs, it is recommended to visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital to have the nail trimmed or to consider surgical treatment to prevent recurrence. It is also advisable to avoid wearing tight, cramped shoes to prevent trauma or crushing injuries. Once paronychia develops, the amount of local pus can vary; generally, quicker recovery can be expected once the pus is cleared. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)