Paronychia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

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Paronychia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Paronychia is a condition where the edge of the nail sticks into the skin.

Understanding

Paronychia is a condition where the nail edges stick into the skin, causing the skin and tissue under the skin to become swollen and red. Ingrown toenails can occur anywhere, but are most common on the big toe.

The cause of ingrown toenails is not known with certainty. However, people who use narrow or tight footwear, improper way of clipping nails (nails cut too short or too curved), injuries to fingers or nails, fungal infections in the feet, and heredity are things that make a person more at risk of experiencing Paronychia.

Diagnosis

Generally, the doctor only needs to examine the nails to be able to confirm the diagnosis of ingrown toenails. However, if the Paronychia is accompanied by severe or extensive inflammation, sometimes X-rays are needed to see if the bone is also infected due to the Paronychia.

Symptom

The main symptom that is felt is severe pain in the skin around the affected nail. In addition, the fingers also become swollen, hard, and reddish. If the Paronychia has occurred for more than 1 week, tissue (a kind of flesh) can grow on the edge of the nail. If the Paronychia is accompanied by an infection, pus can come out around the nail.

Treatment

If a new Paronychia occurs for less than 1 week, the sufferer can try to do the treatment at home first, by:

  • Soak your feet or hands with ingrown toenails in warm water for 10–15 minutes 3–4 times a day. There is no need to add salt, soap, antiseptic or any substance to the water.
  • After soaking, try to lift the edge of the nail that is stuck using a cotton bud. If it is successfully lifted, insert cotton or dental floss to keep the edges of the nails lifted. This method will cause considerable pain, do it slowly.
  • Wash the affected feet or hands with running water and soap twice a day. After that, dry with a clean, soft towel. Make sure your feet are dry and not damp all day long.
  • Avoid using shoes, try to use sandals until the ingrown toenail is resolved.

If complaints due to ingrown toenails do not improve after doing these four attempts within 3 days, the patient should see a doctor.

In general, ingrown toenails are more effectively treated by “small” surgery (minor surgery), by cutting and removing the edges of the nails that stick into the skin. If all the nails on the finger look unhealthy (thick, hard nails, uneven surface), the doctor can remove the nails on the finger.

So that this procedure is comfortable and does not hurt the patient, a local anesthetic drug will be given around the nail before the operation is carried out. The act of taking part of the nail, either part of the nail or all of it, can generally be done on an outpatient basis.

In addition, the doctor will assess whether the Paronychia is accompanied by a bacterial or fungal infection. If there are signs of a bacterial infection, the doctor will give antibiotics. Meanwhile, if there are signs of a fungal infection, the doctor will prescribe antifungal medication.

Even after treatment, about 10–30% of ingrown toenail cases can recur. Take good precautions so that ingrown toenails don’t recur.

Prevention

To prevent Paronychia, the following things should be done:

  • Use loose footwear, especially around the toes. Try not to press the footwear, do not cause the fingers to coincide with each other when walking.
  • Clip your nails straight, not curved (no shorter edges).
  • If your fingernails are hard and thick, soak your fingers in warm water for 10-15 minutes before clipping your nails.

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