What should I do about paronychia of the fingernail?

Jun 20, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I'm currently having some issues with paronychia on my fingers, which makes daily activities particularly uncomfortable. I'm thinking of going to the hospital for treatment. What should I do for finger paronychia?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
When dealing with paronychia of the fingers, the following measures can be taken for treatment and relief: 1. General care: Keep the affected finger clean. Soak the area in warm water daily, then dry thoroughly and disinfect the surrounding skin with iodophor. If the condition is mild, avoid cutting the nails too short to prevent infection. 2. Medication: If symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain are present, apply antibiotic ointments such as erythromycin ointment or fusidic acid cream, or take oral antibiotics like amoxicillin capsules or metronidazole to control the inflammatory response. 3. Surgical treatment: In severe cases with abscess formation, surgical intervention may be necessary. Procedures typically involve incision and drainage of pus, or partial nail removal to facilitate drainage. After surgery, proper wound care is essential to prevent infection. To prevent recurrence, avoid cutting nails too deeply. If conservative treatments fail or symptoms worsen, seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's instructions for appropriate management.