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What Causes Inflammation Around Finger Nails?
Question: Hi,
I have a hangnail that started 2 days ago, this morning I noticed that the skin around the fingernail was slightly inflamed and very red. It hurts only when touched...does the redness mean infection or something else?
I have a hangnail that started 2 days ago, this morning I noticed that the skin around the fingernail was slightly inflamed and very red. It hurts only when touched...does the redness mean infection or something else?
Brief Answer:
An infection is a strong possibility here.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic,
A hangnail is torn skin next to the nail and if it not cared for properly can lead to an infection. The technical term for this kind of an infection is "Paronychia".
Normally symptoms of such an infection include the redness and pain you have mentioned. There could also be swelling and pus associated with it.
Treatment depends on the extent of the infection. Most of the time, a simple case of Paronychia requires a short course of antibiotics or antifungals (depending on the cause of the infection). Occasionally, if there is a pocket of pus deep in the tissue, then a minor surgery has to be done to drain the pus out.
Now, the thing is, since I haven't examined your finger first hand, there's no way for me to be sure that this is really a case of Paronychia. For that reason, you will need to have this examined by your primary doctor. For the time being, you can use normal Over the counter anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen (Advil or similar) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol or similar) to control the pain. Ice will help bring down the swelling, but you shouldn't apply ice to bare skin or keep it there for more than 10 minutes at a time.
If you develop a fever, or pus starts draining, you will want to see your doctor sooner rather than later, but for the most part, this is a pretty simple to treat condition that just requires some antibiotics.
I hope this helps, feel free to follow-up,
Vinay
An infection is a strong possibility here.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic,
A hangnail is torn skin next to the nail and if it not cared for properly can lead to an infection. The technical term for this kind of an infection is "Paronychia".
Normally symptoms of such an infection include the redness and pain you have mentioned. There could also be swelling and pus associated with it.
Treatment depends on the extent of the infection. Most of the time, a simple case of Paronychia requires a short course of antibiotics or antifungals (depending on the cause of the infection). Occasionally, if there is a pocket of pus deep in the tissue, then a minor surgery has to be done to drain the pus out.
Now, the thing is, since I haven't examined your finger first hand, there's no way for me to be sure that this is really a case of Paronychia. For that reason, you will need to have this examined by your primary doctor. For the time being, you can use normal Over the counter anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen (Advil or similar) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol or similar) to control the pain. Ice will help bring down the swelling, but you shouldn't apply ice to bare skin or keep it there for more than 10 minutes at a time.
If you develop a fever, or pus starts draining, you will want to see your doctor sooner rather than later, but for the most part, this is a pretty simple to treat condition that just requires some antibiotics.
I hope this helps, feel free to follow-up,
Vinay
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Next Tuesday is the soonest I can get to doctor...is that soon enough? And what would the pus look like?
Brief Answer:
Next tuesday should be OK, just look for the signs
Detailed Answer:
Hey there! Thanks for following up,
I think next Tuesday is just fine. The things you have to look for are a fever (temperature above 100.4) and pus. Now the Pus could look different depending on which organism is causing the infection. Overall, it would be thick and a the color would be anything between a light grey to reddish. There would be a smell associated with it too.
If the fever or the pus happens, try and get that appointment earlier or head to an urgent care facility.
I wouldn't worry though, the human body is pretty amazing when it comes to limiting infections.. i'd bet that the swelling and redness will die down over the next day or two. Give your immune system a chance to do what it's meant to do. You should be OK.
Make sense?
Vin
Next tuesday should be OK, just look for the signs
Detailed Answer:
Hey there! Thanks for following up,
I think next Tuesday is just fine. The things you have to look for are a fever (temperature above 100.4) and pus. Now the Pus could look different depending on which organism is causing the infection. Overall, it would be thick and a the color would be anything between a light grey to reddish. There would be a smell associated with it too.
If the fever or the pus happens, try and get that appointment earlier or head to an urgent care facility.
I wouldn't worry though, the human body is pretty amazing when it comes to limiting infections.. i'd bet that the swelling and redness will die down over the next day or two. Give your immune system a chance to do what it's meant to do. You should be OK.
Make sense?
Vin
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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