How do you treat a swollen cuticle?
If you have acute paronychia, soaking the infected nail in warm water 3 to 4 times a day can help reduce pain and swelling. It should heal up in a few days. If the infection is very painful, doesn’t get better with home care, or has a pus-filled abscess, you may need to see your doctor.
Why is my finger swollen at the cuticle?
Acute paronychia — This usually appears as a sudden, very painful area of swelling, warmth and redness around a fingernail or toenail, usually after an injury to the area. An acute paronychia typically is caused by an infection with bacteria that invade the skin where it was injured.
Why is around my fingernail swollen?
Paronychia (pahr-uh-NIK-ee-uh) is an infection of the skin around a fingernail or toenail. The infected area can become swollen, red, and painful, and a pus-filled blister (abscess) may form. Most of the time, paronychia is not serious and can be treated at home.
How do you treat paronychia at home?
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
- Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Will paronychia go away on its own?
Treating paronychia depends on how severe the infection is and whether it has started to spread. Often, soaking the infected nail in warm water for 20 minutes a few times a day will help it heal on its own in a few days. If there’s an abscess, a doctor might need to drain it.
Does salt water help paronychia?
Minor paronychia, with redness, tenderness, and no fluctuant areas indicating abscess, can be treated with soaks. Epsom’s salts or Burrow’s solution soaks for approximately fifteen minutes three to four times a day may be all that is needed for the condition to heal.
How do you treat an infected cuticle?
Soak the infected area in warm water for about 15 minutes a few times a day. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly. Soaking the cuticle and nailbed helps pus drain from under the skin. If symptoms don’t get better after a day or two of home remedies, see your provider.
Will paronychia go away by itself?
Treating paronychia depends on how severe the infection is and whether it has started to spread. Often, soaking the infected nail in warm water for 20 minutes a few times a day will help it heal on its own in a few days.
What is the fastest way to cure paronychia?
A person with mild, acute paronychia can try soaking the affected finger or toe in warm water several times a day. If symptoms do not improve, they should seek further treatment. Mild paronychia may be treatable with just a lemon and salt.
Which ointment is best for paronychia?
Commonly Used Medications for Acute and Chronic Paronychia
| Drug | Typical dosage |
|---|---|
| Bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B ointment (Neosporin) | Three times daily for five to 10 days |
| Gentamicin ointment | Three or four times daily for five to 10 days |
| Mupirocin ointment (Bactroban) | Two to four times daily for five to 10 days |
Will an ingrown fingernail heal itself?
An ingrown toenail cannot “heal” itself. As the nail continues to grow, the part of the toenail which has grown into the surrounding soft tissue will grow as well, causing it to become worse. Topical or oral antibiotics only help the symptoms and sometimes they are not even needed.
How long will my fingernail be discolored?
As a general rule, human fingernails grow between half an inch (one centimeter) and four inches (10 centimeters) per year. If you extrapolate from that, it could be discolored for anywhere from 3 months to 12 months, depending on other factors. Darwin ( 21815) “Great Answer” ( 2 ) Flag as… ¶.
What is the treatment for swollen finger?
Compression: Your doctor may recommend that you wear an elastic compression bandage around your finger to provide support and prevent swelling. Elevation: During the first 24 hours after your injury, try to keep your injured hand elevated to reduce swelling.
What causes swelling around the fingernail?
Acute paronychia — This usually appears as a sudden, very painful area of swelling, warmth and redness around a fingernail or toenail, usually after an injury to the area. An acute paronychia typically is caused by an infection with bacteria that invade the skin where it was injured.