Acute paronychia is short-term and develops suddenly. It usually affects a single finger or toe, and is often due to a bacterial infection. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pus, and throbbing pain around your nail.
You can still add salt if your skin isn’t broken. Some people enjoy soaking their feet in warm water and Epsom salts. Avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the area, as these can slow healing. [4] X Research source
Warm water increases blood flow to the affected area, which helps your body fight the infection.
Dressing the area is optional, but it’s wise to protect broken skin if you’ll be working with your hands or exposing them to germy environments. Take off the bandage before warm water soaks, and change it when it gets wet, such as when you wash your hands or take a shower. Use a cotton swab to apply ointment or petroleum jelly. Throw the swab away after using it, and don’t dip it back into the container after touching your skin with it.
If you’re treating your child’s infection and they can follow instructions, let them know that they need to keep their hands out of their mouth or their boo-boo won’t get better. If they don’t understand language yet, do your best to keep them from biting or sucking their fingers. Their pediatrician might recommend antibiotics to prevent complications due to bacteria in their mouth.
An abscess looks like a swollen mass and is tender or painful to touch. Without an abscess, your finger might only feel swollen and throb. If you have an abscess, the swelling will be worse and more painful, and it’ll feel like it’s filled with something. As an abscess develops, it might start to come to a head like a pimple and seep pus. Never try to drain an abscess on your own. You could expose the area to more germs or cause the infection to spread.
You should notice healing after 2 days and might not need a bandage. If your skin is still broken and you want to protect it, bandage it after soaking. If you desire, keep bandaging it until the wound has closed.
Stopping antibiotics early could cause an infection to return.
Typically, doctors prescribe a topical antifungal ointment, which you’ll apply to the affected areas 2 to 3 times per day. Always take any prescriptions according to your doctor’s instructions. It could several weeks before a fungal infection clears. Fungal and bacterial infections can occur at the same time, so your doctor might prescribe multiple medications.
Be sure to keep your hands away from your face and mouth.
You’ll need to wear gloves while you experience symptoms. It’s also best to continue wearing them whenever your hands are exposed to prolonged moisture or irritating chemicals. This will help prevent future occurrences of chronic paronychia.
You’ll need to rest and avoid using the affected finger or toe for 2 days after nail removal. Try to keep it raised above your heart level to prevent bleeding and throbbing. Take prescription or over the counter pain relievers according to your doctor’s instructions. [17] X Research source Keep the dressing dry, and change it after 1 to 7 days. Your doctor will tell you how long to leave the bandage in place and instruct you how to change it.
