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Suggest Treatment For Paronychia

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Posted on Thu, 8 Jun 2017
Question: Hi, I have a question concerning what appears to be a paronychia on the second finger of my right hand on the left side of the nail. I first started noticing some irritation to the finger on Sunday. I recently started applying Muciprocin ointment and a Band-Aid over the area. This morning upon awaking, the pain seems worse, I have "fever" in the area, and what appears to be a small area of pus has developed. Yes, I do tend to bite my fingernails. Can I treat this at home or how long should I give it to resolve. Will the pus go away without having to have it lanced? I do have liver cirrhosis and a one-time bout of cellulitis in the leg about 1 year ago. Should I observe it and treat it with warm soaks twice a day for a few days or do you think I should have it further evaluated? Kind of embarrassing to go to the minor emergency clinic with a "hangnail" if I can treat it myself. What do you think? Thanks, XXXXXXX


I apologize...the ointment I am using is called Mupirocin Ointment USP 2%.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ER visit is a good idea as home treatment can only prolong the duration as well as increasing the chances of infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for the query.

I've reviewed the attached image and this is a paronychia indeed. As it is a source of infection and increasing pain, usually it needs to be incised and drained.

You may try home treatment including warm soaking and local antibiotic(Mupirocin is fine). But you may find it healing for weeks.

So it would be much better to simply visit the ER, get it drained and start antibiotic treatment.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (18 minutes later)
Thank you very much for your advice, Dr Stanko. I will follow what you recommend and proceed from there.

I appreciate your time.

Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
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. Kampana
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5797 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Paronychia

Brief Answer: ER visit is a good idea as home treatment can only prolong the duration as well as increasing the chances of infection Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for the query. I've reviewed the attached image and this is a paronychia indeed. As it is a source of infection and increasing pain, usually it needs to be incised and drained. You may try home treatment including warm soaking and local antibiotic(Mupirocin is fine). But you may find it healing for weeks. So it would be much better to simply visit the ER, get it drained and start antibiotic treatment. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Regards.