Can paronychia heal by itself?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on May 05, 2025
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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 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 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 Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How to treat paronychia?

The treatment of paronychia begins with identifying the cause, which predominantly is due to bacterial infection of the nail groove and surrounding tissues, leading to an inflammatory response. Therefore, to effectively treat paronychia, it is essential to combat the infection and apply or take some anti-inflammatory medications. Additionally, if pus formation occurs, proper drainage is necessary. After developing paronychia, it is advised against self-medicating or performing incisions to drain pus; instead, treatment should be sought from a dermatologist or a surgeon.

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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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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.