Can an infected hangnail on the finger heal spontaneously?
Disease description:
I have many hangnails beside my fingers; after pulling them off, they became infected and developed pus. Can a finger infection caused by pulling off hangnails heal on its own?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
An infected hangnail on the finger that has turned purulent typically does not resolve spontaneously. Purulent infection following removal of a hangnail results from localized bacterial infection; if left untreated, it may progress to paronychia. Initial management includes disinfection with hydrogen peroxide. If swelling is severe, topical medications—such as erythromycin ointment, ichthammol ointment, or mupirocin ointment—may be applied under a physician’s guidance. Hangnails should never be pulled off by hand; instead, they should be carefully trimmed using clean scissors.
