How to deal with infant paronychia swelling?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 03, 2024
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If infants clearly have paronychia, it is imperative to take the child to a pediatric surgery department as soon as possible for wound treatment. The doctor will disinfect the wound. If the swelling is particularly severe and there is already pus deep within, it will also be necessary to incise and drain the wound for thorough disinfection and debridement. Once the infection is under control, the wound should be properly bandaged. The dressing should be changed every two to three days until the wound has completely healed, after which disinfection can be stopped. Therefore, it is essential to seek treatment at a pediatric surgery department and have the dressings changed professionally. Parents should not attempt to handle it by themselves.

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
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How to treat paronychia when it becomes purulent?

Paronychia has already become suppurative and needs timely treatment. Patients can choose to use medications to clean the affected area, which can prevent the condition from worsening. Paronychia is not a very serious disease, but improper care or worsening of the condition can lead to suppuration and cause severe symptoms. It is considered that the condition may be caused by accidentally injuring the surrounding soft tissue when trimming nails or by wearing tight shoes. If the patient's condition is severe, it is best to go to a formal hospital for timely examination and diagnosis. The suppurative area can be incised, and anti-inflammatory medications can be applied to avoid severe local infections. During the recovery period, patients should maintain a light diet and avoid spicy foods.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How to determine if you have paronychia

To determine if it's paronychia, first there will be obvious swelling, pain around the nail, and sometimes exudation. Paronychia is usually caused by the penetration of a foreign object under the nail, or by trimming the nails too short. If the nails are trimmed irregularly and become embedded in the nail bed, this can also lead to paronychia. If there is obvious swelling, pain, and tenderness around the nail, paronychia should be considered. Paronychia is usually related to ingrown nails. For mild ingrown nails, topical application of iodine can gradually alleviate the paronychia. In cases of severe paronychia, it is necessary to visit a hospital where a doctor can perform a nail removal and also change dressings timely. Significant pain may require oral antibiotics treatment or intravenous antibiotics. During treatment, avoid alcohol and spicy, irritating foods.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Which department should I go to for paronychia?

Paronychia is an infectious, purulent disease that occurs when a fingernail or toenail embeds into the skin. This condition can relate to one's walking posture or wearing tight shoes and falls under the domain of dermatology for treatment. Treatment can be sought by registering with the dermatology department of a formal hospital. The most common treatment methods include initial oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications. If these are ineffective, surgery may be required to clean and drain the pus. After recovery, the nail may be trimmed or removed and corrections enforced to prevent recurrence of paronychia. Additionally, proper shoe-wearing, walking, dietary, and lifestyle habits should be maintained. It is advisable to avoid wearing tight shoes, walking for prolonged periods, and consuming spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What should I do if the paronychia is draining pus at home?

Paronychia is mostly caused by nail ingrowth into the flesh or local trauma, and can be treated at home with topical povidone-iodine disinfection and mupirocin ointment application if pus appears. Additionally, oral cephalosporin antibiotics can be taken to help healing gradually. However, paronychia tends to recur frequently. Once it occurs, it is recommended to visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital to have the nail trimmed or to consider surgical treatment to prevent recurrence. It is also advisable to avoid wearing tight, cramped shoes to prevent trauma or crushing injuries. Once paronychia develops, the amount of local pus can vary; generally, quicker recovery can be expected once the pus is cleared. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
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How to deal with big toe paronychia on your own?

The patient with an ingrown toenail managed it themselves, requiring minimized activity and elevating the foot to promote local circulation. Additionally, topical disinfectants such as iodine tincture can be used, not merely applied, but used for moist dressing. Take some cotton soaked in iodine tincture and apply it to the swollen area around the nail fold, generally recommending a five to ten-minute application. Antibiotic ointments can also be applied externally, such as mupirocin cream. After application, cover it for two hours, and treat it two to three times a day. If this method does not effectively alleviate the pain, consider taking antibiotics that have previously caused no allergies, with a preference for cephalosporins or penicillin-type antibiotics. If the antibiotics still do not effectively relieve the pain, it is advised to seek medical attention at a hospital. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)