How to treat suppurative paronychia?

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Which department should I go to for paronychia?

Paronychia is an infectious, purulent disease that occurs when a fingernail or toenail embeds into the skin. This condition can relate to one's walking posture or wearing tight shoes and falls under the domain of dermatology for treatment. Treatment can be sought by registering with the dermatology department of a formal hospital. The most common treatment methods include initial oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications. If these are ineffective, surgery may be required to clean and drain the pus. After recovery, the nail may be trimmed or removed and corrections enforced to prevent recurrence of paronychia. Additionally, proper shoe-wearing, walking, dietary, and lifestyle habits should be maintained. It is advisable to avoid wearing tight shoes, walking for prolonged periods, and consuming spicy and irritating foods.

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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.)

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to deal with infant paronychia swelling?

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 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.