Paronychia refers to skin infection around at least one finger or toe. Usually formed at the bottom or both sides of the nail. This skin infection can cause inflammation, swelling and discomfort around the nails. An abscess containing pus can also be formed. There are two kinds of paronychia: acute paronychia. This will last for hours or days. Infection usually does not spread to the depths of fingers, and treatment can relieve symptoms relatively quickly. Chronic paronychia. This happens when symptoms persist for at least 6 weeks. It develops slowly and may become more serious. Chronic paronychia often affects several fingers at the same time. Some symptoms of paronychia are similar to different skin infections. Other symptoms directly affect the nail itself. Symptoms of paronychia include swelling, tenderness and redness around nails, pustule abscess, nail sclerosis, nail deformation or damage.

According to the severity and whether it is chronic or acute, the treatment of paronychia varies. People with mild acute paronychia can try to soak the affected fingers or toes in warm water three or four times a day. If symptoms do not improve, seek further treatment. When acute paronychia is caused by bacterial infection, doctors may suggest using antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin or clindamycin. When fungal infection causes chronic paronychia, doctors will prescribe antifungal drugs. These drugs are topical and usually include clotrimazole or ketoconazole. Chronic paronychia may require weeks or months of treatment. It is important to keep your hands dry and clean during the whole process. If a person's work requires wet hands or exposure to bacteria, they may need a rest. The doctor may also need to drain the pus from the surrounding abscess. To this end, they will provide local anesthesia, then open the nail fold and insert gauze, which will discharge pus.

If the symptoms are mild and the infection does not spread beyond the nails, people can treat paronychia at home. If the symptoms do not improve after a few days, or the infection has spread beyond the nails, you must see a doctor. If the symptoms are serious, please contact a doctor immediately.