The skin appears
reddened and swollen
, and the infection may discolor the nail or lead to distortion of its shape. In more severe cases, pus may collect and form an abscess at the base or sides of the nail. In such cases the skin feels fluctuant and looks whitish.
How do you get a bacterial nail infection?
An acute infection almost always occurs around the fingernails and develops quickly. It's usually the
result of damage to the skin around the nails from biting, picking, hangnails, manicures, or other physical trauma
. Staphylococcus and Enterococcus bacteria are common infecting agents in the case of acute paronychia.
How can you tell if a nail infection is bacterial or fungal?
- Thickened.
- Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration.
- Brittle, crumbly or ragged.
- Distorted in shape.
- A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail.
- Smelling slightly foul.
What does an infected fingernail look like?
Pus may develop under the nail or skin, which may leak out of the wound. The drainage is usually a
white-yellow color
. Whitlows will look like felons, and may additionally cause a burning or itching sensation in the immediate area. The swelling will likely be milder than in a felon.
What are some early signs or symptoms of a bacterial infection of the fingernail?
- Swelling where the finger meets the nail.
- Redness and mild tenderness surrounding the infected area.
- A blister filled with pus or pus draining from the swollen area.
What happens if paronychia is left untreated?
The painful lesion usually occurs on one side of the nail, but if left untreated, it can become
a “run-around” infection that spreads to the entire peri-nail area
. It can also develop on toes. Patients may report a traumatic injury, hangnails, or cracks around the nail preceding paronychia.
What is the fastest way to get rid of paronychia?
If you have acute paronychia,
soaking the infected nail in warm water 3 to 4 times a day
can help reduce pain and swelling. It should heal up in a few days. If the infection is very painful, doesn't get better with home care, or has a pus-filled abscess, you may need to see your doctor.
How do you treat a bacterial nail infection?
Topical steroids, antibiotics and antifungals
are effective in treating the infection which is often complicated by fungal infection. Acetic acid soaks are also used. Oral antibiotics may be started if required. Surgical management involves removing the nail, or marsupialization of the eponychium.
How do you treat bacterial nail infection?
When a bacterial infection causes acute paronychia, a doctor may recommend an antibiotic, such as
dicloxacillin or clindamycin
. When a fungal infection causes chronic paronychia, a doctor will prescribe antifungal medication. These medications are topical and typically include clotrimazole or ketoconazole.
How do you know if you have a nail bed infection?
- Swelling around the fingernail or toenail.
- Redness.
- Pus collection.
- Pain and tenderness to touch.
What is the best antibiotic for an infected finger?
Warm water soaks of the affected finger 3-4 times per day until symptoms resolve are helpful. Oral antibiotics with gram-positive coverage against S aureus, such as
amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin)
, clindamycin (Cleocin), or or cephalexin, are usually administered concomitantly with warm water soaks.
Will paronychia go away on its own?
Treating paronychia depends on how severe the infection is and whether it has started to spread. Often, soaking the infected nail in warm water for 20 minutes a few times a day will help
it heal on its own in a few days
. If there's an abscess, a doctor might need to drain it.
Can Neosporin help paronychia?
The nail should look normal after three or four days. Dr. Daniel says he recommends Polysporin over Neosporin because the
paronychia responds better to the combination of the two components in Polysporin
rather than the triple antibiotics of Neosporin.
What is a bacterial infection in nails?
Paronychia, commonly known as bacterial nail infection, is
inflammation of the region of the finger or toe from which the nail plate originates
, which is called the proximal nail fold (PNF). This inflammation may occur in the short term (acute) or may be a long-term problem or one that keeps coming back (chronic).
How long does a nail bed infection last?
With proper treatment, the outlook is usually very good. In most cases, an acute paronychia heals within
5 to 10 days
with no permanent damage to the nail. Rarely, very severe cases may progress to osteomyelitis (a bone infection) of the finger or toe.
Why is paronychia so painful?
Acute paronychia — This usually appears as a sudden,
very painful area of swelling
, warmth and redness around a fingernail or toenail, usually after an injury to the area. An acute paronychia typically is caused by an infection with bacteria that invade the skin where it was injured.
