What to use for swelling of paronychia?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to treat paronychia in infants and toddlers?

If an infant has paronychia, it indicates that there is local damage and bacterial infection. In such cases, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. The doctor will thoroughly disinfect the area affected by paronychia, and for severe cases with abscesses, debridement may be necessary. Generally, if parents try to disinfect the child’s wound, they might not be able to adequately treat some deep infections. Therefore, it is still necessary to go to the hospital. After the doctor treats the wound, regular visits to the hospital for dressing changes are needed for a thorough treatment of the infant's paronychia. If the paronychia is severe and accompanied by a systemic infection, treatment under the guidance of a hospital doctor with antibiotics may also be required.

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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 Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Can paronychia cause fever?

Paronychia can potentially cause fever. In the early stages of paronychia, the affected area typically becomes red, swollen, and painful. If symptoms become severe, systemic infection symptoms such as chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, and high fever may occur. For paronychia, if the local symptoms are not severe, anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied to the area, such as mupirocin ointment or erythromycin ointment. If symptoms are severe and fever occurs, oral antibiotics are necessary for treatment. If pus has formed, it is necessary to perform an incision and drainage to remove the pus, and regularly clean and change dressings to achieve effective treatment. Paronychia is generally caused by bacterial infections, predominantly by Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, one should not attempt to squeeze the infected area, as this can worsen the condition.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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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 Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
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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.)