Swelling and pain around nails

Pain around the nails is a problem that many patients have. This problem is most likely caused by paronychia. Paronychia is an inflammation that must not be ignored, because in addition to causing certain pain to people, if the pain is severe, it will also affect the patient's mental state. Next, I will introduce to you the causes, clinical manifestations, and treatment methods of paronychia!

1. Causes

Paronychia is caused by punctures, abrasions, ingrown nails or extraction of "insect thorns" in the nail groove and surrounding tissues. In addition, biting your nails can bring oral bacteria into the grooves around the nails. Shoes that are too tight and do not fit well can also press the flesh against the toenails, and repeated friction can cause wounds and infections.

2. Clinical manifestations

Patients generally have no systemic symptoms, but severe cases may have systemic symptoms such as fever and chills. In acute patients, the proximal part of one or both sides of the nail is red and swollen, with severe pain, followed by the appearance of pus spots, which may rupture and discharge pus. In chronic patients, repeated infection and healing may gradually form nodules or protrusions of inflammatory granulation tissue, which may be accompanied by pus discharge. If the infection spreads to the nail bed, it will cause pus to accumulate under the nail, causing the nail to float or even fall off.

3. Treatment Methods

1. External treatment: Apply ichthyol ointment, mupirocin ointment, polymyxin B ointment and other antibiotics.

2. Drug treatment: oral antibiotic treatment.

3. Surgical treatment: For those who already have abscesses, incision and drainage can be made at the nail groove. If there is pus accumulation at the root of the nail or under the nail bed, the nail should be removed. If ingrown toenails cause recurrent paronychia, onychoplasty should be performed.

4. Prevention Methods

1. Protect your hands and do not soak them in water for a long time, especially in soapy water. Dry your hands and feet immediately after washing them. When housewives need to frequently come into contact with detergents, they can wear rubber gloves to protect their hands.

2. Trim your nails correctly. Trim your nails into a square or round shape. Do not cut off the corners on both sides, otherwise the nail contour will be damaged. The newly grown nails will easily embed into the soft tissue, which can easily induce paronychia.

5. Nursing methods

You cannot do manicure during purulent inflammation. You should also avoid external stimulation to your nails and avoid getting them wet.