Medical Treatment
The treatment of a paronychia requires drainage of pus. This can be easily done in the physician’s office and takes less than 15 minutes. The entire finger is numbed and an incision is made on the side of the nail where the infection is most obvious. This will immediately relieve pain, redness, and swelling.
To ensure that all the pus is drained, some physicians may insert a small piece of gauze or wick in the incision. The wick will keep the wound open and allow pus to drain. This packing is left for about 24-48 hours. The finger should be soaked in warm water the next day and the wick replaced.
In some severe cases of paronychia where the infection has involved the fingernail, one may require partial or complete removal of the nail. In the majority of cases, antibiotics are very rarely required once the pus is drained. It is not necessary to obtain cultures from the fluid that is drained. However, some physicians may obtain cultures if the infection is severe.
After drainage, one should continue with warm soaks. Healing takes anywhere from 5-7 days and in a few weeks the finger and nail will be normal
How to prevent paronychia?
Paronychia usually starts because of trauma to the skin near the nail. So to prevent a paronychia:
- avoid traumatizing your finger nails
- avoid the habit of biting your nails
- wear rubber gloves if your hands are constantly
in contact with water
- if you are a diabetic, ensure that your blood sugar
levels are under control
- if you work in a dirty environment, wash hands frequently
- wear protective gloves if you frequently deal with harsh
chemicals
Paronychia is an easily treated infection and the outlook is excellent.
For more on gloves, anti septics and diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Paronychia: part 2
Medical Care
Paronychia does not always have to be treated by a physician. In many cases, home remedies may help decrease redness and pain. However, there are times when the redness and infection extend to the entire digit and be associated with severe pain. Further, the infection can extend into the deeper spaces of the fingertips. In such scenarios, a visit to a doctor or the Emergency room would not be a bad idea.
The treatment of pus in a fingertip usually requires a small incision to allow the fluid to drain. Pus drainage is not something that should be attempted at home, unless you have both medical personnel and sterile equipment at home.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a nail bed infection does not require any type of radiological study. Any physician with reasonable skills should be able to make a diagnosis of paronychia from a physical exam. It is very rare to obtain any blood work or x rays when a paronychia is suspected.
Self-Care at Home
When a paronychia first develops, one should start home remedies at once. Soak the finger in warm water 3-4 times a day. Soak the hand for at least 15-30 minutes each session. Soaking will relieve pain, redness, and swelling. There is a lot of debate about adding antibiotics or anti septic to the warm water soaks. In most cases, there is no need to do add anything. A simple soap and warm water is more than adequate.
Paronychia does not always have to be treated by a physician. In many cases, home remedies may help decrease redness and pain. However, there are times when the redness and infection extend to the entire digit and be associated with severe pain. Further, the infection can extend into the deeper spaces of the fingertips. In such scenarios, a visit to a doctor or the Emergency room would not be a bad idea.
The treatment of pus in a fingertip usually requires a small incision to allow the fluid to drain. Pus drainage is not something that should be attempted at home, unless you have both medical personnel and sterile equipment at home.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a nail bed infection does not require any type of radiological study. Any physician with reasonable skills should be able to make a diagnosis of paronychia from a physical exam. It is very rare to obtain any blood work or x rays when a paronychia is suspected.
Self-Care at Home
When a paronychia first develops, one should start home remedies at once. Soak the finger in warm water 3-4 times a day. Soak the hand for at least 15-30 minutes each session. Soaking will relieve pain, redness, and swelling. There is a lot of debate about adding antibiotics or anti septic to the warm water soaks. In most cases, there is no need to do add anything. A simple soap and warm water is more than adequate.
What is paronychia (nail infection)?
Some individuals develop an infection along the edge of the fingernail or toe nail-this is known as paronychia. It is a very common hand infection and frequently seen in individuals who bite their nails. When left untreated, paronychia can progress and involve the entire finger or toe. It is also quite painful.
Paronychia Causes
Paronychia is commonly caused by bacteria that reside on skin. When the skin around the nail edges has been broken or damaged, these bacteria can easily cause an infection. Common causes which lead to skin damage around nails is nail biting, finger sucking, frequent dishwashing with bare hands, regular encounters with harsh chemicals and detergents or improper clipping of nails. Besides bacteria, fungi can also cause paronychia.
Symptoms
Paronychia usually starts with redness and swelling that is localized to the lateral side of nail. Pain is constant and is made worse by pressing on the nail. Often, there may be a yellowish discharge from the nail edge. When the fingertip starts to swell, chances are that fluid has collected under the skin and is most likely pus (abscess)
The most common symptoms of a paronychia are:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pus collection
- Pain
- Tenderness to touch
Paronychia Causes
Paronychia is commonly caused by bacteria that reside on skin. When the skin around the nail edges has been broken or damaged, these bacteria can easily cause an infection. Common causes which lead to skin damage around nails is nail biting, finger sucking, frequent dishwashing with bare hands, regular encounters with harsh chemicals and detergents or improper clipping of nails. Besides bacteria, fungi can also cause paronychia.
Symptoms
Paronychia usually starts with redness and swelling that is localized to the lateral side of nail. Pain is constant and is made worse by pressing on the nail. Often, there may be a yellowish discharge from the nail edge. When the fingertip starts to swell, chances are that fluid has collected under the skin and is most likely pus (abscess)
The most common symptoms of a paronychia are:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pus collection
- Pain
- Tenderness to touch
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Healthy Nails: Part 2
If you are constantly using your hands to wash dishes or are in an occupation dealing with water, wear gloves. In addition, addition of detergents and other chemicals to water can ruin your nails. So make it a habit of wearing gloves.
Maintain your nails just like you take time to get our hair done well. Take some time to trim, polish and maintain your nails. Use sharp scissors and trim the edges. Do not pull on hangnails. Clip the hangnails off and do leave a slight angle outwards. Make sure the nail edges are smooth and even.
Always moisturize your hands and nails. Failure to moisturize nails is the number one reason why people have crappy looking nails. Nails need hydration like skin. Any skin moisturizer will do and rub it on the nails. You do not have to buy the fanciest or the best smelling moisturizer; baby oil is as good as anything out on the market. Each time you remove nail polish, apply a moisturizer.
Use non-acetone based products to remove your nail polish. Acetone based nail polish removers can dry your nails and make them crack.
These simple home measures can nake your nails look nice and attractive. Moreover, when you apply nail polish, you will look a lot sexier.
Maintain your nails just like you take time to get our hair done well. Take some time to trim, polish and maintain your nails. Use sharp scissors and trim the edges. Do not pull on hangnails. Clip the hangnails off and do leave a slight angle outwards. Make sure the nail edges are smooth and even.
Always moisturize your hands and nails. Failure to moisturize nails is the number one reason why people have crappy looking nails. Nails need hydration like skin. Any skin moisturizer will do and rub it on the nails. You do not have to buy the fanciest or the best smelling moisturizer; baby oil is as good as anything out on the market. Each time you remove nail polish, apply a moisturizer.
Use non-acetone based products to remove your nail polish. Acetone based nail polish removers can dry your nails and make them crack.
These simple home measures can nake your nails look nice and attractive. Moreover, when you apply nail polish, you will look a lot sexier.
How can I keep my nails looking healthy?
While nails are only a small part of the human body, they can make an individual look either nice or unattractive. In many cases, good-looking nails can make a person feel confident. Nice looking nails that are polished can be attractive and even sexy.
There is not a single product out on the cosmetic market that can make your nails look great. In fact, the majority of cosmetic products contain so many chemicals that they can harm your nails. To make your nails look great, you can apply the following ideas.
Firstly, take care of your nails just like you take care of your face. Be gentle with your hands and do not traumatize the nails. If you have a job that requires lifting or excessive handwork, wear gloves or mittens. Avoid using your nails to prod, poke, or pry things.
Avoid biting on your nails and do not pick at the cuticles. While nail biting is just a bad social habit, it can sometimes also damage the nail bed. People who constantly bite their nails have real ugly short looking nails, which look all chewed up. Once the nail bed gets damaged, you can even develop an infection. After the nail bed is damaged, you have to wait a long time to see new nail growth- so biting is NONO.
There is not a single product out on the cosmetic market that can make your nails look great. In fact, the majority of cosmetic products contain so many chemicals that they can harm your nails. To make your nails look great, you can apply the following ideas.
Firstly, take care of your nails just like you take care of your face. Be gentle with your hands and do not traumatize the nails. If you have a job that requires lifting or excessive handwork, wear gloves or mittens. Avoid using your nails to prod, poke, or pry things.
Avoid biting on your nails and do not pick at the cuticles. While nail biting is just a bad social habit, it can sometimes also damage the nail bed. People who constantly bite their nails have real ugly short looking nails, which look all chewed up. Once the nail bed gets damaged, you can even develop an infection. After the nail bed is damaged, you have to wait a long time to see new nail growth- so biting is NONO.
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