What should you know about oral antibiotic for paronychia?

Paronychia is inflammation or infection beside a fingernail or toenail. The nail fold may become red, swollen and tender, and pus can collect beneath the skin. Mild cases may improve with local measures, while spreading redness, marked swelling or deeper infection can prompt an oral antibiotic decision. Chronic irritation from water, chemicals, biting or picking can involve yeast or inflammation rather than a bacterial problem, so the treatment should match the cause.

Use the prescribed medicine exactly as directed and check what to do if you miss a dose. Keep the digit clean and dry between any advised soaks, protect it from further trauma, and do not cut the cuticle, bite the nail or pierce the swollen fold. Avoid harsh detergents and wear gloves for wet work. Tell the clinician about medicine allergies, pregnancy, immune conditions and diabetes. If pus remains trapped, tablets alone may not be enough and a procedure can be considered.

Arrange prompt review if redness travels up the finger or toe, pain increases, pus enlarges, movement becomes difficult, or fever develops. Seek urgent help for severe swelling, a blue or numb digit, facial swelling with breathing trouble, or a rapidly worsening illness. A recurrent nail-fold problem, nail distortion or symptoms that continue despite treatment deserves reassessment for another cause.

Ask whether the infection is bacterial, whether pus needs drainage, how to protect the nail fold, and when persistent symptoms should be checked for yeast or another condition.