Hangnails are common. Most people experience hangnails when their skin is dry, such as in the winter or after being exposed to water for a prolonged period. A hangnail can become infected if exposed to bacteria or fungus. Infected hangnails should be treated as soon as possible. Oftentimes, the condition can be successfully treated at home. You should be able to notice the symptoms of an infected hangnail soon after it becomes infected.
This condition is known as paronychia. A prolonged infection may result in a discolored nail or an infection that spreads to other parts of the body. Fungal infections appear more frequently in those who have diabetes or who spend a large amount of time with their hands exposed in water.
A mild to moderate hangnail infection can usually be treated at home. Follow these steps for home treatment:. Ignoring an infected hangnail can make your condition worse. In rare situations, the infection may spread to other parts of your body if left untreated.
Your doctor will examine your hangnail for signs of infection. They may be able to diagnose the hangnail just by looking at it. In other cases, your doctor may want to take a sample of any pus in the infected area to send to a lab for further analysis.
You may need a prescription for an antibiotic in topical or oral form. If pus is present, your doctor may need to drain the infected area. This removes the bacteria and may help relieve pressure in the area. Check out: Fungal nail infection ». Hangnails are common, especially if your hands are dry because of the weather or from frequent exposure to water. Most hangnails will heal on their own without any signs of infection. If you see the area oozing pus, gently press around the area to assist in draining the pus.
Be careful not to break the skin, which could spread the infection. Wash the infected area gently after draining the pus, then pat dry and cover the open wound. Do not puncture the skin any further to release the pus. See your doctor if you feel the infected area needs to be drained. Method 2. Call your doctor immediately if you develop a fever. A fever may be a sign that the infection has spread to your bloodstream, where it can cause serious problems.
If you have even the slightest fever or start to feel sick or queasy, call your doctor right away. Typically the infection can be treated with oral antibiotics.
However, these need to be started as soon as possible to be effective. If you have a fever and delay seeking medical treatment, the infection may require more serious intervention that necessitates a hospital stay. Monitor the infected area to see if it spreads or worsens. As you treat the infection, make sure the infected area doesn't get any larger. If the swelling increases or the skin grows redder or changes color, have a doctor look at it as soon as possible.
If the nail grows discolored or thickens, this may indicate that the nail is also infected. A doctor will be able to further assess the condition and determine whether the nail needs to be removed. Wait 4 to 5 days to see if the infection goes away. If you keep the area clean and use OTC antibiotic ointment, the infection should go away within a few days.
However, if it doesn't seem to be getting any better after 4 or 5 days, seek medical treatment even if you haven't noticed any other symptoms. Take antibiotics as directed. If your doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics, take the complete course until they are gone. Don't stop taking the antibiotics, even if you feel better or the condition of your finger improves. Method 3. Get a tetanus shot if necessary. If you have a puncture wound from a nail or other piece of metal, particularly rusty metal, or glass, get a tetanus shot as soon as possible to prevent an infection from developing.
If a tetanus infection isn't treated promptly, it could be fatal. Trim your fingernails with clippers after showering. After a shower, your nails are at their softest. This is the best time to trim them. Use sterile clippers and avoid cutting them too short. Never trim your cuticles, which can leave your nail beds open to bacteria, leading to an infection. This introduces bacteria to the area, which can result in infection.
Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes, gardening, or doing chores. Exposing your hands to continual moisture can weaken and damage your skin, allowing for the introduction of bacteria. Moist conditions allow that bacteria to grow and increase the risk of infection. Wrap rubber gloves that are lined with cotton to help keep your hands dry and clean.
Keep your hands clean and dry. Wash your hands after using the lavatory and any time they're exposed to directly to soil or to dirty or soiled items. Pat your hands gently until the skin is completely dry. Apply lotion to your hands after you wash them as well.
This will help to keep them moisturized and provide an extra barrier against irritants. If the infection continues, it can extend to the pulp of the finger and cause a felon, or deep tissue abscess. This requires aggressive procedures and can even lead to loss of function or amputation. Figure 1. Physical signs of a finger paronychia include swelling at the base of the nail, sensitivity to touch, pain, and pressure from pus build-up.
A deep tissue abscess, or felon, can develop if the infection continues. If the infection is caught early when the nail base is a little swollen and red, you can prescribe frequent warm soaks at least once every two hours , and a short course of antibiotics e. An established infection and pus collection require incision and drainage. Figure 2. Early paronychia infections can be treated with frequent warm soaks and antibiotics.
Established infections require incision and drainage. The first step when performing the incision and drainage technique is to collect the necessary medication and tools:. Figure 3.
Tools for a finger paronychia include sterilizing solution, ice water, and 11 scalpel. Figure 4. Procedure for draining a finger paronychia.
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