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Even a small cut or a simple burr can cause panaritium – purulent inflammation on the finger or toe, more often in the nail area. We will learn how to quickly get rid of this trouble, and why you cannot do without a visit to the doctor.

A burr, splinter, abrasion, carelessly performed manicure or pedicure – a small wound is enough for an infection to penetrate there, a focus of inflammation forms. Within a few hours, a simple scratch can turn into burning and swelling, redness and throbbing pain, which is quite difficult to endure. This is panaritium.

What is panaritium

Panaritium is an acute purulent inflammation of the tissues of the fingers or toes, most often in the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe nail, where an abscess is formed¹. The inflammation is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria. At the same time, the inflammatory process often develops in people with hypovitaminosis, endocrine disorders and reduced immunity.¹.

Interesting facts about panaritium

Duration	stage of infiltration 2-3 days
Pain	aching, burning, distension
Redness	uniform
Swelling	spilled
Body temperature	sometimes 37,1-38 ° C

Panaritium on the arm is much more common than on the leg.
The appearance of panaritium provokes hypothermia, frequent contact with water and pollution.
In about 38% of cases, panaritium occurs in housewives, in 36% in workers of factories and enterprises, in 10% in summer residents and gardeners, and in another 7% in schoolchildren.².
In older people, inflammation is more severe and healing takes longer.
Children and infants are very vulnerable to panaritium due to an underdeveloped immune system.
Frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap leaves only antiseptic and antibiotic resistant bacteria on the skin. Therefore, when a panaritium appears, it will be very difficult to cure it.².

What does panaritium look like

With panaritium, the finger swells and turns red. Even at rest, a throbbing pain is felt, which is especially intensified at night. As the inflammatory process develops, the finger becomes numb. A grayish-yellow pus begins to appear under the skin. Then there is a detachment of the epidermis, and a purulent bladder is formed³.

By the way, if the purulent bubble breaks and the pain subsides, this does not mean at all that the worst is over, and now the finger will heal quickly. Inflammation can go deep into the tissues and affect the joints and tendons. The movement of the diseased finger is limited, and the patient begins to complain of malaise and weakness. Body temperature may rise. Seek medical attention as surgery may be required.

Panaritium on the finger

Most often, panaritium is found on the hands. This is due to the fact that the skin on the hands is thin and dry. And frequent washing and disinfection (or, conversely, neglect of hygiene) exacerbates the situation, leaving hands vulnerable to injury and infection.

Provoking factors:

manicure performed with non-sterile instruments;
work with a garden or kitchen garden without gloves;
prolonged contact with water;
lack of hygiene.

To keep the skin of your hands healthy and protected, every time after washing dishes or wet cleaning, you need to use a moisturizer. And even a small wound or cut should be treated with an iodine solution and sealed with an antibacterial patch.

Panaritium on the toe

Most often, panaritium on the toe develops due to an ingrown nail. Ingrown usually occurs on the first and second toes, mainly on the right foot. On the inside, the nail grows 8 times more often than on the outside.³.

Provoking factors:

uncomfortable, tight shoes. Due to pressure, ingrowth of the nail into the nail fold is more common;
a heavily cut edge of the nail injures the skin. And if the legs often sweat, then an infection can easily join;
trauma or congenital deformity of the foot;
the fungus thickens the nail plate, which quickly grows into the skin.

Causes of panaritium

The main causes of panaritium include:

small punctures of the skin;
abrasions and scratches;
burrs;
ingrown nail;
trauma to the skin roller during a manicure or pedicure;
toxic effects of chemicals;
avitaminosis;
peripheral circulatory disorders;
diabetes.

Symptoms of Panarity

Depending on the form and degree of the disease, the symptoms of panaritium may vary, but there are common signs:

burning and swelling of the skin;
throbbing pain that gets worse at night
the affected area of the skin turns red and becomes hot;
possible increase in body temperature, intoxication, weakness.

Treatment of panaritium

Treatment of panaritium directly depends on the stage of the disease. If you contact a specialist in the first days, when the purulent bladder has not yet formed, the doctor will prescribe antibacterial drugs and antiseptics for treatment. But if the inflammatory process dragged on and moved to deeper tissues, then surgical treatment is already carried out. In an advanced case, panaritium can lead to gangrene and loss of a finger.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of panaritium is carried out on the basis of patient complaints and examination of the injured finger. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray. According to the combination of symptoms, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

Ointments for panaritium

Conservative treatment of panaritium includes baths with sea salt and antiseptic solutions, as well as dressings with antibacterial ointment. Such ointments have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing effects.

1. Oflomelide ointment

Oflomelide contains the antibiotic oflomycil, the anesthetic lidocaine, and the healing agent methyluracil. The ointment has a complex effect – it anesthetizes, inhibits the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, accelerates tissue healing.

The ointment is applied to the damaged area 1 time per day, after which it is covered with a gauze bandage. The standard course of treatment is 1-2 weeks. Oflomelide is available by prescription for use in adults over 18 years of age.

2. Ichthyol ointment 20%

A proven remedy for pustular skin lesions. Ichthyol ointment has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect, reduces pain and accelerates the maturation of boils. It can be used to treat children from 12 years of age.

The ointment is applied to the skin 1-2 times a day, if necessary, use a bandage.

3. Bonderm ointment

The ointment contains a broad-spectrum antibiotic mupirocin. It is used for bacterial infections of the skin, including furunculosis, infected wounds and burns. It can be used to prevent bacterial infection with minor skin injuries – abrasions, cuts, insect bites. Bonderm ointment is suitable for the treatment of children over 3 years of age.

4. Levomicon-TFF ointment

Combined drug for external use, which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing effects. Easily penetrates deep into tissues and acts even in the presence of pus. Ointment can be used in children from 1 year.

5. Calendula ointment

Homeopathic ointment with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action treats diaper rash, skin cracks, abrasions and other damage to the skin. Can be used from 18 years of age.

6. Stellanin-PEG ointment 3%

Antibacterial ointment improves the outflow of pus from the site of inflammation, accelerates tissue healing, relieves swelling and pain. It is applied to the skin 1-2 times a day, the average duration of treatment is from 5 to 15 days.

Stellanin-PEG ointment can be used from the age of 18 and is released strictly by prescription.

7. Gentamicin Akos ointment

Ointment based on gentamicin – a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues. Helps with folliculitis, furunculosis, pyoderma, infected seborrheic dermatitis and infected skin wounds of various origins. The ointment is applied to the affected area 3-4 times a day, the treatment takes an average of 1-2 weeks.

Can be used to treat children after consulting a doctor. Released by prescription.

8. Supirocin ointment 2%

Antibiotic ointment supirocin fights most bacteria that cause inflammatory and pustular skin lesions. The ointment is used to treat furunculosis, folliculitis, infected wounds, eczema and burns. Supirocin should be applied to the affected area of the skin 2-3 times a day.

The ointment can be used from 3 years old and is available by prescription.

9. Baneocin (ointment or powder)

Combined antibacterial drug with a wide spectrum of action. Contains 2 antibiotics – neomycin and bacitracin. A universal remedy for the treatment of wounds and burns for the whole family, as well as for the prevention of skin infections. Released without a prescription.

10. Betadine ointment

The active substance of the ointment is povidone-iodine, which is effective against many bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. The ointment heals wounds, burns, abrasions, bedsores and ulcers. Available without a prescription, can be used in children, with the exception of premature and newborns.

Opening panaritium

The opening of the panaritium takes place under local anesthesia. The surgeon opens the abscess and drains it to completely clear it of pus and bloody deposits. Then the doctor closes the operated area with a sterile aseptic bandage.

If a panaritium has formed under the nail, then the surgeon first partially or completely removes the nail plate, and then cleans out the accumulated pus.

The next day, during the dressing, the doctor checks whether the abscess is completely removed, whether the swelling and pain increase, and assesses the need for a second operation.

Prevention of panaritium at home

To avoid infection in the wound, it is necessary to follow certain rules of safety and cleanliness in the kitchen, as well as when cleaning the premises and working in the garden.

Try to be careful: in order not to injure your hands, work with gloves. If necessary, immediately treat the wound or cut with an antiseptic. A home first aid kit should contain hydrogen peroxide, miramistin, “brilliant green” and iodine.

Wear only comfortable shoes, keep your nails and feet healthy, and use the correct nail clipping technique. Then the risk of panaritium will be minimal.