Paronychia nail infection antibiotic treatment

Paronychia affects the skin beside or beneath a nail. It can follow nail biting, a torn cuticle, manicure trauma, an ingrown nail, or repeated exposure to water and irritants. Bacterial infection often causes tenderness, warmth, redness, swelling, and sometimes visible pus. A longer-lasting problem can involve yeast or ongoing irritation, so an antibiotic is not suitable for every case.

A clinician may examine the nail fold, check whether infection is spreading, and look for a pocket that cannot settle with medicine alone. Do not squeeze it or use leftover tablets; the correct treatment depends on the examination.

Keep the area clean and dry, protect it from friction, and avoid cutting the cuticle or biting the nail. Warm water soaks can ease discomfort for some people, followed by careful drying. If prescribed an antibiotic, take or apply it exactly as directed and finish the prescribed course unless the prescriber changes the plan. Tell the clinician about allergies, pregnancy, other medicines, and immune problems.

Pain relief may be appropriate for you, but check the label and ask a pharmacist if you have kidney, stomach, or liver disease. Improvement should be monitored rather than assumed; redness, swelling, or pain that keeps increasing needs reassessment.

Arrange prompt medical assessment if redness travels beyond the nail fold, swelling involves the finger or toe, movement becomes difficult, or pus is trapped under the skin. Seek urgent help for fever, feeling faint, rapidly worsening pain, red streaks, or a new loss of sensation. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system should seek advice early because small infections can become more serious.

Ask whether the infection is bacterial, whether drainage is needed, how to protect the nail, and what changes should prompt a review. You can also ask how to prevent another episode if nail biting, manicures, an ingrown nail, or wet work contributed.