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Paronychia is a disease of the shafts and nail plates where inflammation occurs under the nail shaft, i.e. under the part of the skin that covers the medial and lateral parts of the nail. Infection is often caused by cutting injuries during manicures and similar procedures. The affected part of the nail shaft is swollen, red and painful.
Parchment – what is it?
Severe pain, significant redness and purulent exudate at the nail may indicate paronychia, i.e. a disease of the nail shaft. Paronychia is a disease caused by bacteria entering the body – mainly staphylococci and gram-negative bacteria.
Paronychia is classified as a disease of shafts and nail plates. It is a purulent inflammation of the nail fold, i.e. the tissues surrounding the nail. The condition can affect both toenails and toenails. Sometimes it covers several fingers at the same time. The perpetrators of inflammation are bacteria, mainly golden staphylococcus and streptococci. There are acute and chronic rot.
- Acute paronychia usually involves the nail shaft of the fingers or toes. The disease develops after infection with staphylococcus aureus or gram negative bacteria. Infections with HSV, the herpes simplex virus, are much less common. Then we are talking about herpetic rot (paronychia herpetica). It develops as a result of local infection of the skin of the fingers of the hands.
- Chronic paronychia does not have an acute onset. Its development is mainly due to fungi, especially Candida albicans. This form of the disease may be accompanied by bacterial superinfections with staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this form of the disease, the nails acquire a brown tint.
See also: Split nails
Paronychia – causes
Roots are mainly favored by injuries of the epidermis and nail foldsthat arise when cutting nails, the so-called cutting skins, during household or renovation works. Paronychia can also be provoked by nail biting. It also happens in people who constantly have wet hands due to their work. The disease is also favored by lack of hygiene and ingrown nails. All these activities lead to skin micro-injuries and the formation of invisible wounds through which pathogenic microorganisms can easily penetrate.
However, there are other, more serious causes of foot rot. First of all, they are endocrine diseases. Other causes include taking immunosuppressive drugs as well as obesity.
we recommend: How to strengthen nails?
Paronychia – symptoms
The symptoms of both acute and chronic foot rot are:
- the formation of abscesses,
- swelling of the nail fold
- redness and pain of the nail fold,
- peeling of the skin around the foot,
- the bluish color of the nail and surrounding tissues.
Also read: Yellow and discolored nails
How to recognize foot rot?
The diagnosis of foot rot is usually not difficult. For an experienced physician, it is enough to inspect the wound and listen to the patient who complains of severe pain when touching the swollen and severely reddened area. In unclear situations, laboratory tests are performed to determine the type of infection and the sensitivity of the microorganism to drugs.
Check how to treat cracked nails?
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How to treat foot rot?
In the case of acute foot rot, surgical debridement of the abscess is necessary. If it was large, the surgeon will insert a filter so that the wound can be thoroughly cleaned. It is also necessary to take an antibiotic. When a virus is the culprit of the problem, incision of the abscess is not necessary. However, it is necessary to administer antiviral drugs promptly. Chronic paronychia requires taking antibiotics and antifungal drugs. The treatment is burdensome for the patient and usually lasts many weeks, sometimes even several months.
If there is redness and swelling, you can try a warm bath based on water and gray soap. This method not only soothes inflammation, but also relieves the patient, because water in combination with gray soap has an anti-swelling effect and causes the pus to disappear spontaneously.
You may be interested in: Nail fungus – who gets sick, symptoms, treatment, relapses, prevention
Paronychia – complications
In all cases, the foot rot should be treated to avoid complications. Ignoring this ailment may cause the disease to spread to the tissues under the nail plate. Then the nail plate will be completely destroyed and abscesses will form. The consequence of this is the formation of thickening on the plate and numerous discolorations.
Paronychia and prevention
Prevention of foot rot is not difficult. It is enough to develop appropriate habits to prevent infection. What should we remember?
1. For all housework, repairs or gardening, wear gloves that will protect your fingers and hands from injuries.
2. People whose work requires constant soaking of their hands should also get used to working in gloves so that the softened skin is not exposed to the attack of bacteria, viruses or fungi.
3. Teach children to wash their hands frequently. We should also make sure that they do not bite their nails and do not tear off the cuticles, which in young children like to “pick up”.
4. The care of nails, both those on the hands and feet, should be entrusted to specialists in reputable cosmetic companies.
5. At home, try not to cut the cuticles around the nails. It is much safer to move them away with a special spatula or a corner of a damp towel.
6. The tools we use for nail care should be disinfected from time to time. Ideally, each household member should have their own nail file, nail clippers and a cuticle spatula. An important rule is also to keep these instruments only for yourself. Their use by other people may contribute to the transmission of infection.
7. After washing your feet and hands, carefully wipe the spaces between your toes. If left wet, they can be a good place for microbes to grow and attack the cuticle or nails.
8. People who have problems with sweating should use antiperspirant creams on clean feet.
9. When you want to trim your nails, do it after the bath, when your nails are softer (you should trim your nails once a week and your feet once a month).
10. Always use protective gloves when working with detergents or any type of chemicals.
Finally, a very important point. Any form of foot rot should be cured. If the condition is left untreated, it may spread to the nail matrix and the tissues underneath it. Then treatment is more difficult and often requires removal of all or part of the nail.
But it is also worth adding that in the initial stage of the disease, as soon as we notice that something is wrong (pain, swelling or redness appeared), we can save ourselves with home remedies. One is soaking your finger in well-warm water with baking soda or soap. Wraps are now also recommended.
Paronychia – frequency of occurrence
Paronychia is more common in women than in men, with a female-to-male ratio of 3 to 1. It usually affects manual workers or people in occupations that require them to dip their hands or feet in water for extended periods (eg, dishwashers). Middle-aged women are most at risk.
In the case of advanced nail diseases, you can opt for a cleansing treatment. The offer is available on Medonet Market.
Parchment – therapeutic bath
Most cases of acute foot rot can be treated by soaking the affected area in warm water several times a day. For this, use a bowl if you need to wet your finger or a large bowl to wet your feet. The water should be very warm, but not hot enough to cause pain or discomfort.
Salt or saline should be added to the water if the skin is damaged. Warm water alone will do the trick if only a red spot and swelling are visible on our skin. However, if the skin is damaged, you can add a few tablespoons of table salt, epsom salt or saline to the warm water (of course salt can also be added if there is no damage). However, avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds as they can slow healing.
Soak your fingers or toes in the prepared liquid for 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. If the water has cooled down before 20 minutes, add hot water or replace it entirely with fresh water. Usually, acute paronychia disappears after a few days of regular soaking in warm water. This is due to the action of warm water, which increases blood flow to the damaged area, which helps the body fight the infection.
Finally, use a clean towel to dry your fingers or toes. In mild cases with intact skin, no bandage is required. If the skin is damaged, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or antibacterial ointment and then cover it with a bandage. Apply the ointment or petroleum jelly with a cotton swab.
The swab should be discarded after use and should not be put back into the ointment or petroleum jelly after touching the skin. When it comes to bandaging the damaged area, it is optional, but it is wise to protect the damaged skin, especially if you intend to work with your hands or expose them to germs and microbes. However, remember to change the bandage and remove it earlier, for example, when you are going to wash your hands or feet or take a shower.
Also read: What is a finger brace?
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