Paronychia (paronychia): symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is paronychia?

Paronychia (paronychia) is an infection that occurs in the skin around the nails of the fingers and toes. The tissue around the infected nail will swell, soften to the touch, become inflamed, and feel painful.

This nail disease can occur due to certain infections, fungi, bacteria or viruses. In addition, the risk of infection is higher if there is injury or trauma, such as nail biting, frequent washing of dishes, or exposure to chemicals.

Generally, the symptoms of paronychia can appear slowly and last a week. Meanwhile, some cases also show symptoms appear suddenly and last only 1-2 days.

Different from herpetic whitlow , paronychia occurs only around the fingernails. Meanwhile, herpetic whitlow causes small, pus-filled bumps on the fingers and not only around the fingernails.

If left untreated, paronychia can lead to a severe infection, such as damage to finger tissue. As a result, the finger had to be amputated.

The good news is, this damage to the nails can be healed in various ways, such as drainage, surgery, and certain drugs.

How common is this condition?

Paronychia is a condition that can happen to anyone. In fact, it is the most common hand infection in the United States.

In addition, the bumps around the nails are more common in women than in men, at a ratio of 3: 1. Nail disease also has an incidence that is not much different in patients of various age groups.

You can treat paronychia and avoid this problem by controlling the existing risk factors. For more information, please consult a doctor.

Type

What are the types of paronychia?

Infections of the skin around the nails are divided into two types, depending on how long it takes to heal. The type of paronychia is also seen based on when the symptoms first appeared and the bacteria causing the infection.

Acute paronychia

Generally, acute infections that occur around the nails will develop rapidly. This type of paronychia begins with skin damage caused by biting the nails, pulling out the cuticle (skin) of the nails, manicures, or other injuries.

The bacteria that cause this acute type of infection are generally Staphylococcus and Enterococcus.

Chronic paronychia

In contrast to acute infections, chronic paronychia occurs due to irritant dermatitis due to exposure to chemicals, such as acids and alkalis. That is why, this type of infection is mostly experienced by ART, bartenders, and swimmers.

The bacteria that cause the infection are different, namely Candida albicans. This makes people who are frequently exposed to water more susceptible to this nail problem.

If the nail protector is damaged and is often exposed to chemicals in the cleaner, it can certainly lead to chronic infection. These bumps around the nails develop more slowly and are at risk of reappearing at a later time.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of paronychia?

Each person generally has symptoms of paronychia that are quite diverse, depending on the type and duration of infection. Here are some common symptoms that appear based on the type of infection.

Acute paronychia:

• reddish rash (erythema),
• swollen fingers,
• the presence of pus in the folds of the sides of the nails,
• infections of the skin under the nails, as well
• nails are more brittle and prone to falling off.

Chronic paronychia:

• swollen fingers,
• a red rash around the nails,
• the side folds of the nails soften,
• discoloration of the nails to black, as well
• the cuticle and side folds of the nail separate from the nail.

Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, there are a number of other symptoms that are quite common when the lumps around the nails appear, including:

• nails turn green, as well
• enlarged nails due to swelling of cells (hypertrophy).

If not treated immediately, this nail infection can spread to the thick skin around the nail and cause the nail to come off.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult a doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms mentioned or any other questions, please consult a doctor. The reason is, everyone's body shows different symptoms.

To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your condition, always check with your doctor about any symptoms you feel.

Cause

What are the causes of paronychia?

Paronychia is an infection that can be caused by many things. The main pathogens that cause this condition are bacteria, fungi, or conditions thereof.

In acute cases, infection results from trauma or injury to the fingers and nails. The habit of biting nails, pulling the skin around the nails, or grooming manicure untidy can be the cause of this infection.

Meanwhile, infections that are chronic in nature may be caused by the Candida fungus. Even so, it is possible that this infection can be triggered by bacteria.

Candida fungi usually thrive in damp, wet environments. This of course makes infection easier for people who work and are often exposed to water.

What factors increase the risk of developing this condition?

Paronychia is a nail problem that can occur in almost anyone, regardless of age and racial group. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this disease.

Gender

Paronychia is more common in women than in men. This means that women are at a higher risk of developing infections around the nails.

Nail biting habit

Pleasure with biting your nails can cause the skin around your fingers to become damaged. As a result, the chances of being exposed to fungi or bacteria that cause infection are much greater.

Wear gloves often

Wearing gloves too often can create a humid environment on the inside of the hands. This of course has the potential to trigger the growth of fungi and bacteria that can infect the skin around the nails.

Use of certain drugs

Those of you who use oral retinoid drugs may need to be careful. This is because oral retinoids such as isotretinoin can dry out the skin and are at risk of infection with fungi and bacteria.

Diagnosis and treatment

How to diagnose this condition?

Generally, doctors can diagnose paronychia through a physical exam, which is the appearance of an infected nail. If necessary, the doctor will take a sample of pus or fluid from the nail that is infected with the fungus.

The sample is then examined in a laboratory to determine the cause of the infection and determine the right treatment for you.

What are the ways to treat paronychia?

Paronychia treatment is divided into two parts by type. The following is the full explanation.

Acute paronychia

Acute paronychia generally has mild to moderate symptoms, so you can treat it with home remedies. You can start by soaking the infected finger in warm water for 15 minutes 2-3 times a day.

This method is usually good enough to relieve pain and swelling. If it doesn't get better, you should check with your doctor.

The dermatologist will then prescribe oral antibiotics and advise you to remove the affected finger. If pus has built up near the nail, the doctor may anesthetize the infected finger and drain the pus.

If necessary, a small portion of the nail will be removed to allow the area to completely drain, such as surgery.

Chronic paronychia

Chronic paronychia is usually caused by a yeast infection. Therefore, the doctor will treat the infection with antifungal drugs that are applied to the skin, such as clotrimazole or ketoconazole.

These medicines may need to be applied daily for several weeks until the symptoms improve. You are also asked to take care of your nails and the skin around them to keep them dry and clean.

In very severe cases, you may need to take antifungal medication or steroids to suppress the spread of infection from within.

Home remedies

The key to preventing paronychia is taking good care of your nails. Here are among them.

• Avoiding nail biting.
• Keeps hands and feet clean and dry.
• Avoid cutting the skin around the nails.
• Use gloves if you are frequently exposed to water or chemicals.
• Avoid cutting nails too short.
• Wear clean nail clippers.
• Avoid wearing gloves or socks for too long.

If you have further questions, please contact a dermatologist to get the right solution.