Paronychia is an inflammation of the fingernail. The main cause of this disease is a manicure that was performed with non-sterile instruments. Less commonly, a paronychia may be caused by a scratch or an injection. It is worth noting that the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity suffer from this defect five times more often than the stronger sex.
Disease Description
Paronychia is a disease that can disturb a person as a result of an injury, or if an infection gets under the skin around the nail plate. As a rule, the main reason for the appearance of this ailment is constant contact with high temperatures or with chemicals.
It is worth noting that this disease can develop as a complication with the following diagnoses:
- psoriasis;
- chronic eczema of the hands;
- dermatosis;
- infectious syphilis;
- diabetes.
But most often the disease manifests itself in those people who do not observe personal hygiene or wear tight shoes. It is worth noting that such a disease can occur due to an ingrown nail.
Paronychia is a disease that women suffer much more often than men. Since their nail rollers get a lot of injuries during manicure and pedicure. And the narrow shoes of the fair half of humanity are worn more often.
Types of paronychia
At the moment, several types of paronychia have been identified, namely:
- dry paronychia;
- Tournament
- erosive and ulcerative paronychia;
- chronic paronychia.
Dry paronychia is a form of the disease in which pus is absent. Instead, a person has severe peeling and keratinization of the nail roller. This type of ailment most often appears due to trauma, with psoriasis and eczema.
Tourniol - this form of the disease is accompanied by severe suppuration. In this case, the finger hurts greatly. This type indicates the onset of infectious paronychia caused by a fungus such as Candida or streptococcal infection.
With an erosive and ulcerative form, small blisters and sores may appear on the skin around the nail plate. It is this form of the disease that acquires a pathological process that goes to the nail. As a rule, it develops in those people who have syphilis. Most often the thumb on the hand suffers.
Chronic paronychia. In this case, the person does not have a cuticle, and the nail plate itself is very thickened or has a deformed shape. This type of ailment mainly develops with constant contact with water. Thus, the most favorable environment for the growth and reproduction of bacteria and fungi is created.
The first signs of manifestation of paronychia
The first sign indicating that a person develops paronychia is when the periungual felon is inflamed and begins to hurt. Further, the pain will only intensify. Then there is a change in the color of the skin. And if the request for help was untimely, then the person has a deformation of the nail plate. Moreover, with this defect, the local temperature will be observed in the affected area.
At the first symptom, a person should seek help from a specialist who can accurately determine the type of disease. It is important to understand that this ailment cannot be ignored, since such negligence can lead to more serious complications. After all, this is the inflammatory process of the periungual cushion, and such an ailment can affect several fingers of a person at the same time, although more often the thumb on the arm becomes inflamed.
Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis of paronychia can be identified and made only by the surgeon. As a rule, no special examinations are required. Basically enough visual inspection of the affected area. The periungual felon is severely inflamed, there is swelling of the finger.
But in some cases, a specialist may prescribe a test, such as:
- general blood analysis;
- blood test for sugar;
- analysis of the Wassermann reaction;
- biopsy.
The above studies are prescribed if the specialist has a suspicion of the presence of a fungal infection or diabetes mellitus, syphilis.
Paronychia treatment
First of all, the treatment of such a defect depends on the cause of its appearance. If this ailment was provoked by a fungal infection, then the course of treatment therapy will include tablets and antifungal ointments for external use.
If a person has been diagnosed with an infectious paronychia, then treatment is carried out with the help of alcohol compresses. It is worth noting that this method is only possible if the procedures are started on the first day of symptoms. Moreover, if this ailment has developed as a result of any disease, then first they get rid of the provocateur, which caused an abscess on the finger.
If this ailment has arisen due to trauma or high temperatures, then the patient should limit contacts with provocateurs before proceeding with treatment. Then, the specialist will prescribe medications that will improve blood microcirculation and normalize metabolism.
If your finger hurts, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
In case of untimely seeking help, this ailment can affect the entire nail roller and fiber located under it. In this case, surgery can not be avoided. As a rule, during this manipulation, the angle of the nail plate is opened and accumulated pus and all dead tissue are removed. It is worth noting that during this manipulation there is a risk of damage to the nail bed and the roller, and if this happens, the nail plate will grow deformed.
Antibiotics
In some cases, when the inflammation has developed strongly, a specialist may prescribe antibiotics. They can be administered both intramuscularly and intravenously. As a rule, after taking them, the patient's condition improves on the second day.
Soda baths do a good job of this problem. To do this, you need to dissolve a tablespoon of soda in a glass of warm water. If a person plans to get rid of this defect in this way, then he should remember that the baths are effective for use only in the first day.
Is an abscess on the finger dangerous?
Possible complications
Paronychia only at first glance seems a serious disease. This is precisely the insidiousness of this ailment. If a person decides to treat this inflammation at home, then this manipulation should be performed extremely carefully, since the following complications may develop:
- acute purulent inflammation of the finger, which can lead to amputation;
- phlegmon brush;
- blood poisoning, which can lead to amputation of the arm, and in some cases to death.
This is only at first glance paronychia is a relatively frivolous disease. Therefore, before you engage in self-medication, you should consult a specialist. Do not risk your own health, only the surgeon will be able to determine the degree of development of the disease and recommend adequate treatment.
Disease prevention
To prevent this disease is quite simple. If a woman does manicures and pedicures, then the tools for this procedure should be disinfected, including hands. But if the okonogolovy roller is already damaged, then it should be sealed with a bactericidal plaster until then, until the affected area is completely restored.
It should be noted that for any damage to the skin on the fingers should immediately treat the injured area. For these purposes, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or an antiseptic is suitable.
Many experts recommend performing several simple procedures that will help avoid paronychia:
- watch your nails and do not bite them;
- wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and floors;
- wash hands thoroughly after earthwork and carpentry.
This rule also applies to cutting meat and fish.
This will help to successfully avoid the appearance of this defect on the fingers.
Conclusion
Paronychia of the finger on the hand is a rather unpleasant and painful disease, but most importantly, if you do not seek timely help, you can get a number of complications. When this ailment appears, do not postpone the visit to a specialist: if you seek help in time, you can get rid of the defect at home without additional medications. Take care of yourself and your own health, and let such an ailment as paronychia not bother you.