What are the hazards of paronychia?

Paronychia is an infectious inflammation of the nail groove and surrounding tissues, primarily triggered by bacterial invasion through skin injuries. Its main risks include worsening local damage, functional impairment, and complications.

1. Worsening local damage: If not treated promptly, the infection may spread deeper, leading to subungual abscess, osteomyelitis of the phalanges, or even local tissue necrosis.

2. Functional impairment: Recurrent paronychia can cause severe pain, affecting normal movement of fingers or toes. Long-term inflammation may result in chronic granuloma formation and local deformities.

3. Suppurative infection: If bacterial invasion progresses, paronychia may develop into a suppurative infection, forming abscesses. These abscesses can intensify pain and potentially lead to local tissue necrosis.

4. Chronic paronychia: Repeated episodes of paronychia can lead to chronic paronychia, which is more difficult to treat and prone to recurrence.

5. Serious complications: Paronychia may cause nail loosening, deformation, or even detachment, damaging the nail bed and potentially leading to nail bed injury, osteomyelitis, and other severe complications.

It is recommended to keep the affected area clean and dry, avoiding squeezing or excessive trimming of the nail. In early stages, follow medical advice to disinfect with povidone-iodine solution, then apply mupirocin ointment, erythromycin ointment, or compound polymyxin B ointment locally, combined with warm compresses to promote absorption of inflammation. If an abscess has formed, seek timely medical treatment for incision and drainage to prevent the spread of infection caused by self-squeezing.