Paronychia, severe pain for a week

Paronychia is a common disease symptom, and most of the people who suffer from paronychia are children. Because children's nails are relatively fragile, and most children have the bad habit of biting their nails. Once paronychia occurs, the pain is unbearable. Because the gaps between the nails will become inflamed, swollen, red, and painful. Therefore, the treatment is more complicated. There is no way to prevent paronychia. You should try to keep your fingernails clean and healthy. So what should you do if you suffer from severe pain from paronychia for a week?

Western medicine treatment of paronychia

In the early stages, hot compresses, physical therapy, external application of ichthyol ointment or Sanhuang powder, and the use of iodineamine or antibiotics can be used.

If there is pus, a longitudinal incision can be made at the nail groove for drainage. When the infection has spread to the subcutaneous area around the nail base, a longitudinal incision can be made in the nail grooves on both sides, the epithelial sheet on the nail root can be turned up, the root of the nail can be removed, and a small piece of vaseline gauze or latex sheet can be placed for drainage. If pus has accumulated under the nail bed, the nail should be removed or the nail above the abscess cavity should be trimmed. When removing nails, be careful to avoid damaging the nail bed to prevent deformities of the new nails in the future.

1. In the early stages, repeated application of 3% iodine tincture can often control the infection. Before pus forms, ichthyol ointment, golden powder paste, etc. can be applied locally. Short-wave ultraviolet rays, ultra-short waves, infrared rays and other treatments can also be used.

2. After pus is formed, incision and drainage are performed. The digital nerve was anesthetized with lidocaine at the base of the finger and then incised. For unilateral subcutaneous abscess, a parallel incision can be made on the outside of the nail groove; bilateral subcutaneous abscess requires bilateral drainage. For abscess at the root of the nail, remove part or all of the nail after separation (but do not damage the base tissue too much to avoid losing the nail's ability to regenerate in the future) to fully drain the pus under the nail.

It should be noted that the two sides of the nail groove and the posterior nail fold cannot be cut at the same time, so as to avoid the retraction of the posterior nail fold, exposure of the nail root, and abnormal nail growth.

3. In the early stage of antibiotic application, oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, amoxicillin, etc. can be taken; antibiotics can be injected after surgery.

General conservative treatment of paronychia:

(1) Antibiotics

There are many types, including intramuscular injection, intravenous medication, topical medication, etc.

Advantages: It has a strong inhibitory effect on bacteria and has a certain anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Disadvantages: It seems to have no effect on ingrown toenails caused by physical nail piercing.

(2) Anti-inflammatory analgesics

Such as salicylic acid preparations, there are oral, ointment, injection and other types.

Advantages: It can relieve pain and swelling, and is suitable for use when the pain is unbearable.

Disadvantages: Ineffective for treating ingrown toenails. If used for a long time, it will cause great irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. People with gastrointestinal diseases should use it with caution.

(3) Urea ointment

Advantages: It can soften the skin and the nails, and help with correction.

Disadvantages: It takes a long time to soften the nail, which is very troublesome, and the effect is not good when used alone. That is, even if the nail is softened, it is difficult to cure the deformed nail without using corrective measures.

(4) Silver nitrate

Advantages: less pain during treatment, usually no anesthesia is required, granulation tissue can be flattened, and pus and exudate can be inhibited.

Disadvantages: It is corrosive to a certain extent and will darken the skin and nails, seriously affecting the appearance. It only works on granulation tissue and is not very helpful for the correction of nails.

(5) “Cotton pad method” and “Hose pad method”

Advantages: simple and convenient, can be handled by yourself.

Disadvantages: easy to fall off, insufficient filling force, poor effect, easy to relapse.

Use a drip tube instead of cotton to fill the nail groove and glue it with special glue.

(7) Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine application, soaking, etc., or traditional pedicure techniques, etc.

Advantages: Usually no side effects, good effect in eliminating inflammation.

Disadvantages: The cure effect needs to be determined based on the physician's personal experience, and there is no uniform standard.

Prognosis

If treated promptly, it can heal in 15 to 20 days without affecting the growth of the nails.

Treatment of Paronychia with Traditional Chinese Medicine

1. Internal treatment: Generally, internal treatment is not required. If the condition is serious, it is advisable to clear away heat and detoxify, and use Wuwei Xiaodu Drink plus Huanglian Jiedu Decoction with modifications.

2. External treatment: Mix the paronychia powder with honey evenly. If there is no wound, apply the medicine to the red and swollen area about 0.5 cm away, bandage with gauze, once a day. Principle: Because the prescription contains Chinese herbal medicines such as turmeric, rhubarb, phellodendron, coptis root, and cnidium monnieri that can clear away heat, detoxify, reduce swelling and discharge pus.