How to treat paronychia by yourself?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Paronychia is a purulent infectious disease formed when the nail embeds into the flesh. If the infection is in the purulent stage, it can be appropriately treated at home. After disinfection with iodine, use a needle to puncture and clean out the pus and blood. If the paronychia infection is severe, it is advised to visit the dermatology department of a formal hospital for a minor surgery. This disease has a tendency to recur. It can be permanently resolved by removing the nail and performing a forced correction on the affected area. To prevent recurrence, try not to wear shoes that are too tight and avoid prolonged walking, as the disease is related to one's walking posture and footwear.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min home-news-image

What is the best treatment for paronychia?

Paronychia has occurred, mainly due to infection of the nail groove or surrounding tissues. Minor puncture wounds, bruises, or injuries from cutting nails too deeply can all cause paronychia. When paronychia occurs, it is essential to control it promptly during the acute phase by using broad-spectrum antibiotics for treatment. This can include oral administration of amoxicillin, cefaclor sustained-release tablets, cefdinir dispersible tablets, etc. Topically, ichthyol ointment or mupirocin ointment can be applied for treatment. If symptoms do not improve, the most thorough treatment method is to promptly visit a formal hospital's surgical department for nail removal treatment. With paronychia, it is essential to avoid spicy and irritating foods in your diet, and do not attempt to squeeze the pus yourself, as it can easily lead to a worsening of the infection.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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How to treat suppurative paronychia?

Paronychia is a bacterial infection that requires enhanced cleaning of the nail groove and administration of anti-infection symptomatic treatment. Rest, a light diet, and nutritional support are important. Oral or intravenous antibiotics should be used, with cephalosporins recommended. Additionally, combating anaerobic bacteria is necessary. This can be coordinated with surgical dressing changes and local treatment. Iodine disinfection may be employed, and incision and drainage may be necessary to promote pus discharge. Ichthyol ointment may also be used to help draw out the pus. During treatment, increased water intake and improved cleanliness and care of the nail groove are recommended, along with avoiding dirty water to aid recovery.

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
58sec home-news-image

How to deal with big toe paronychia on your own?

The patient with an ingrown toenail managed it themselves, requiring minimized activity and elevating the foot to promote local circulation. Additionally, topical disinfectants such as iodine tincture can be used, not merely applied, but used for moist dressing. Take some cotton soaked in iodine tincture and apply it to the swollen area around the nail fold, generally recommending a five to ten-minute application. Antibiotic ointments can also be applied externally, such as mupirocin cream. After application, cover it for two hours, and treat it two to three times a day. If this method does not effectively alleviate the pain, consider taking antibiotics that have previously caused no allergies, with a preference for cephalosporins or penicillin-type antibiotics. If the antibiotics still do not effectively relieve the pain, it is advised to seek medical attention at a hospital. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
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Can paronychia heal by itself?

Paronychia cannot heal on its own; it definitely requires timely treatment at a hospital. If not treated promptly, the condition could worsen and may even necessitate surgical removal of parts of the nail bed or keratin. Upon detecting paronychia, it's important to first clean the affected area thoroughly. Applications such as iodine tincture can be used topically, and soaking in boric acid or alcohol is also possible. During recovery, it is advisable to avoid spicy and greasy foods. Additionally, it's crucial to quickly begin antimicrobial treatment. Antibiotics can be taken orally or administered via intravenous drip to treat the infection systemically, such as amoxicillin. Ichthyol ointment can be applied to the swollen areas, but any medication should be used following a doctor's prescription. During the treatment period, it is recommended to consume a diet high in protein and fiber, especially foods rich in vitamin C like kiwifruit and passion fruit.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

Can paronychia be treated by oneself?

Paronychia generally should not be self-treated. The occurrence of paronychia is usually related to improper nail trimming or improper removal of hangnails; some are caused by bacterial infections, while others are due to fungal infections. It is advised not to self-treat paronychia, especially if there is an abscess, as it requires proper medical treatment at a hospital. Improper handling can easily lead to worsening of the infection, and pus drainage treatment should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor. If swelling and pain are significant, oral antibiotics might be necessary. In cases where there is no allergy to antibiotics, oral medications such as cefaclor sustained-release tablets or cefdinir dispersible tablets may be used. Attention should also be paid to the cleanliness of the affected area to avoid squeezing it oneself.