Can foot trimming treat paronychia?

In general, whether podiatry (foot trimming) can treat paronychia mainly depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, foot trimming may help alleviate symptoms as an auxiliary measure; however, in severe cases, it may not be effective and could even worsen the condition. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

In the early stages of paronychia, when inflammation is mild and there is no obvious redness, swelling, or abscess formation, a trained foot care specialist may, under strict disinfection, gently trim away the portion of nail embedded in the skin. This can help reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing. At this stage, foot trimming can serve as an adjunctive treatment to relieve symptoms of paronychia.

When paronychia progresses to a more severe stage—characterized by significant redness, swelling, pus formation, or fever—foot trimming cannot resolve the issue and may instead exacerbate the infection, leading to worsening of the condition. Immediate medical consultation is necessary. Under medical guidance, topical antibacterial treatments such as erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, or fusidic acid cream may be used.

In daily life, avoid cutting nails too short, maintain clean and dry feet, and wear properly fitting shoes to minimize irritation and injury to the feet.