Nail Infection: Paronychia

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Paronychia is an infection and inflammation (redness, pain, and swelling) of your nail fold. The nail fold is the skin around your fingernails and toenails.

Paronychia may be acute (sudden) or chronic (happens repeatedly over six weeks or longer). Injury to your nails or nail folds, such as from biting your nails may tear your skin. Germs such as bacteria and fungi may enter through the torn skin, causing an infection.

Certain medicines and medical conditions may increase your risk of having paronychia. Skin allergies, certain soaps, chemicals, or repeated water soaking may also increase your risk.

With paronychia, your nail fold may be painful. Pus may come out of your nail fold when you press against it. With chronic paronychia, your nail may change color or become thick. Your nail may also pull away from your nail fold, and fall off.

You may need medicine to treat your pain, swelling, and infection. You may also need surgery to drain pus or remove your nail and the tissue around it. Treatments for paronychia may decrease redness, pain, and swelling. Treatment may also help prevent the infection from spreading to nearby tissue.

You may be directed to use medications to treat your paronychia.

Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.

Antifungal medicine: This medicine helps kill fungus that may be causing your infection.

NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine may decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order.

Other treatments:

• Apply a warm compress on your infected finger or toe to decrease pain and swelling. You may also soak your finger or toe in warm water or a special solution.

• Keep your infected finger or toe clean and dry at all times.

• Rub lotion into your nail folds, hands, and feet.

• Wear proper footwear to keep your infected toe clean

Preventing paronychia:

• Rub moisturizing lotion into your hands after washing them.

• Avoid chemicals that may harm your skin and nails. These may include soaps, laundry detergents, cuticle removers, primers, nail hardeners, or nail products containing acetone.

• Avoid cutting or removing your nail fold when cleaning your fingernails or toenails.

• Bring your own nail tools when having your fingernails or toenails cared for in nail salons.

• Keep your nails short. Do not bite your nails, pick at your hangnails, suck your fingers, or wear fake nails.

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