Table of contents:
- Paronychia is an infection of the skin around the nails
- The right way to deal with swollen fingers due to paronychia
- 1. Soak warm water
- 2. Antibiotics
- 3. Small operation
- How to prevent paronychia infection before it gets worse
There are many things that can cause finger swelling, from something as simple as being caught in a door or insect bites to more serious problems like paronychia. Paronychia is a skin infection that can make your fingers swell, inflamed, and painful. So, how do you deal with swollen fingers due to paronychia?
Paronychia is an infection of the skin around the nails
Paronychia or paronychia is a skin infection that occurs around the nails of the hands or feet. This condition is usually caused by bacteria or fungi that accumulate under the skin and cause inflammation.
Other causes of paronychia are the habit of biting nails and cutting short nails. Sometimes, this habit doesn't only erode your nails, but also the skin around them. As a result, the injured skin will be more easily exposed to bacteria, causing inflammation around the nails.
Although at first it makes the finger swell, the symptoms of paronychia that are allowed to continue continuously can also make the nails harden and be damaged. Even worse, this condition can cause the nails to fall off. That's why you need to get rid of swollen fingers due to paronychia before the symptoms get worse.
The right way to deal with swollen fingers due to paronychia
The treatment for swollen fingers due to paronychia varies, depending on how severe your symptoms are.
1. Soak warm water
If the pain is mild, try soaking the swollen finger or toe in warm water. The warm sensation will help improve blood flow to the fingers, thereby reducing inflammation.
Do this at least 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes for maximum results. The finger that was swollen will gradually shrink and heal on its own within a few days.
2. Antibiotics
If the pain is getting worse, especially if the skin infection is filled with pus, then dampening your fingers in warm water may not help. You should immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.
Doctors will usually prescribe a number of antibiotics, for example dicloxacillin or clindamycin. This antibiotic must be taken regularly to kill bacteria and treat swollen fingers due to paronychia.
If the swollen finger is caused by a yeast infection, the doctor will prescribe a fungal cream or ointment such as clotrimazole or ketoconazole. These two types of ointments are effective at stopping the growth of fungus that builds up under the skin as well as reducing the pain.
3. Small operation
In some cases, paronychia that is classified as severe requires minor surgery. This operation is performed to remove pus that has accumulated under the skin so that the infection does not get worse.
To relieve the pain, the doctor will inject a local anesthetic into the finger before removing the pus. In addition to speeding up healing, this operation also aims to prevent the spread of infection that is increasingly widespread.
How to prevent paronychia infection before it gets worse
You may already be wondering how painful it is to experience swollen fingers from paronychia. Although you can completely treat swollen fingers, it would be better if you prevent it as early as possible, right?
The most important key is to keep your fingers and toes clean. The cleaner your nails and fingers are, the harder it will be for bacteria to get into your nails and skin.
Well, for those of you who have a habit of biting your nails, whether it's intentional or not, you should immediately stop this habit. Biting your nails until they break the surrounding skin will open the way for bacteria to enter and cause infection. Cutting your nails too short can have a similar effect.
Last but not least, avoid excessive exposure to water and wet environments. This is because a humid environment is a favorite place for bacteria and fungi to breed. Therefore, make sure your fingernails and toes remain dry to avoid bacterial infection.
