Understanding Paronychia: Fingernail Infection

A paronychia infection is a common finger infection involving the tissue around the fingernail.  The word "paronychia" is pronounced par-uh-NIK-ee-uh.

Causes and Symptoms of Paronychia Infection

A paronychia is usually a result of bacteria invading an opening in the skin around the fingernail. This infection can be a result of local trauma such as from pulling a hangnail, biting around the nail, injury to the cuticle, or having frequent manicures.  Sometimes, there is no identifiable cause.  The symptoms of a paronychia infection include redness of the tissues surrounding the nail near the cuticle, pain, warmth, swelling, and possible drainage.  A white-yellow-green fluid may build up under the nail or cuticle, indicating the formation of pus. 

Effective Home Remedies for Mild Paronychia Fingernail Infections

Treatment of mild paronychia fingernail infections consists of warm water soaks, with or without soap or Epsom salts.  This can help soften the tissues and facilitate drainage if a collection of pus is developing.  Warm soaks can also decrease pain and increase blood flow to the area, helping the body fight infection.  An over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen can also help relieve pain and inflammation. 

Seeking Medical Help for Paronychia fingernail Infections

When these home remedy measures fail to result in improvement in the paronychia fingernail infection, a visit to a qualified medical provider is recommended. Treatment can include oral antibiotics, wound care, and a possible surgical procedure to drain the infection. Drainage of pus can be performed in the office using local anesthesia. If not properly treated, severe paronychia infections can result in spreading of the infection, damage to the fingertip, chronic finger pain, and nail growth problems.  When symptoms of mild paronychia inflammation exist for more than several weeks, without the development of pus, it may indicate the development of a fungal infection.  In this situation, it would also be beneficial to be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare provider.  

Prevention and Care Tips for Healthy Fingernails

Proper fingernail hygiene, clipping a hangnail with clean scissors or nail clipper (rather than pulling a hangnail), and keeping dry skin healthy with a non-irritating hand lotion may help prevent bacterial paronychia infections. For chronic fungal paronychia infections, keeping the fingernail dry and avoiding wet environments and irritating chemicals can help the condition resolve.

Contact Our Raleigh Finger Surgeons Today for Paronychia Treatment

Get started today by contacting our office. You can also give us a call directly using the phone call button and schedule an appointment button, both located on this page. Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center doctors are board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. The doctors are all members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

This information does not replace examination and treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Please make an appointment to learn more about your specific condition.