Is surgical treatment required for paronychia?

Whether paronychia requires surgical treatment mainly depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases of paronychia, such as those presenting only slight redness, swelling, and pain around the nail bed, surgery is generally unnecessary. These cases can usually be managed with topical medications and oral antibiotics. However, when paronychia is severe—for instance, if there is a significant abscess, conservative treatments have failed, or the inflammation has extensively involved the nail fold—surgical intervention may be considered. Procedures such as incision and drainage or nail removal may be performed to completely eliminate the infection and promote healing. Therefore, patients with paronychia should seek timely medical attention and choose an appropriate treatment method based on their physician's recommendations.