Individuals must prioritize their overall physical and psychological health to avoid suffering from an illness that can affect their quality of life. People who exhibit unusual symptoms should not delay their visit to the doctor to prevent complications. Individuals who notice pus and pain near the nails should consult a dermatologist in Rawalpindi.
Paronychia and Its Symptoms
Paronychia is a medical condition, in which the individual suffers from an infection. It affects the folds of the tissue around the nail. Women are more likely to suffer from paronychia; however, timely treatment can help smoothly recover without further complications. The symptoms of paronychia are:
- The person suffers from the constant pain around the nails.
- The individual can notice the swelling around the fingers.
- The person suffering from paronychia notice pus around the affected nail. It indicates the infection that can worsen and spread to eponychium.
- The nail appears thick and yellow.
- The cuticles separate from the nail plate and affect the appearance.
Known Causes of Paronychia
The known causes of paronychia are:
- The Staphylococci infection can lead to pus and inflammation. Individuals who renege in nail-biting are more likely to suffer from paronychia and related complications. Also, a physical injury can lead to an infection and affect functioning.
- The bacterial infection can cause paronychia. The yeast growth can cause the individual to suffer the bacterial growth that affects the nails.
Risk Factors
The individuals who are at a higher risk of suffering from paronychia and related complications are:
- People with HIV have a weak immune system that can lead to multiple physical illnesses, including paronychia.
- Individuals who work in the kitchen all day; use chemicals that can affect the hands. People with excessive contact with water are more likely to suffer from paronychia.
- People with prior medical conditions, such as diabetes, should remain vigilant and monitor their bodily changes, as they are at a higher risk of suffering from paronychia. Patients with diabetes take longer to heal and may notice complications.
- Excessive moisture can also lead to paronychia.
- Individuals taking medications should discuss the side effects with their doctor, as they may lead to paronychia.
Complications Associated with Paronychia
The complications that correlate with paronychia include:
- The individual must take timely treatment to avoid nail dystrophy and Cellulitis.
- The individual with paronychia may suffer from Infectious tendonitis.
Preventative Measures
The preventative measures that help reduce the chances of suffering from paronychia and related complications include:
- Children and adults who nail-bite should seek help and try remedies to overcome the habit. It will help in maintaining oral and nail health.
- People must maintain good hygiene to avoid bacterial infection.
- The people must trim their nails after two weeks. Also, people must keep their hands and feet dry to avoid complications.
- People must wear gloves while working to avoid skin irritation.
Diagnosis
The tests that help in diagnosing an individual with paronychia are:
The specialist will closely examine the nail to observe the swelling and pus.
The cultural test will confirm the type of bacteria causing infection and related problems.
The potassium hydroxide smears test helps detect the presence of candida infection, which may have led to paronychia. It will help opt for a suitable treatment option.
Effective Treatment Options
The medications and procedures that are known to be effective in treating paronychia are:
- The antibiotics help fight the infection and speed the recovery.
- The topical antifungal is applied to the affected area to fight the infection.
- In severe cases, the specials may opt for the nail excision. The procedure removes the damaged part to avoid the spread that can lead to multiple complications.
Individuals who notice pus and swelling around their nails should seek medical attention. It is best to consult a competent and reliable specialist at Mid City Hospital, who will conduct tests to identify the cause and provide information regarding the most effective and latest treatment for smooth recovery without complications.
