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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Be Causing Infection In The Toe Nail?

I appear to have an infection at the top right corner of my middle left toenail, after
accidentally peeling off the edge of the nail (I tend to have a nasty habit of doing this).
The skin at that corner is inflamed, and , because the flesh appear to be growing outwards
a little at the corner where the nail has been peeled off, as there is now no nail to hinder it.
I wonder if this is bacterial or fungal, or both. I have applied Bactroban ointment, but it does
not appear to help much. I don't think this is what they calla paronychia, since that is an infection
around the sides and cuticle regions.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 25 Nov 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 25 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand..

As per your complain it seems that due to removing of the nail there is peeling of the soft tissue at the side of your nail and due to soft tissue injury there has been inflammation and there seems to be secondary bacterial infection .
It is causing swelling and pain and it does not look like Paronychia but it is definitely infection secondary to injury..
You can clean the area with antiseptic solution and apply a triple antibiotic ointment and a steroid ointment over it..
You can also do cool compresses..
You can also take Ibuprofen for reducing pain and inflammation and also a short course of antibiotics can be taken..
In case if it does not resolve in a week or does not should signs of improvement consult a General surgeon and get evaluated..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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What Could Be Causing Infection In The Toe Nail?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand.. As per your complain it seems that due to removing of the nail there is peeling of the soft tissue at the side of your nail and due to soft tissue injury there has been inflammation and there seems to be secondary bacterial infection . It is causing swelling and pain and it does not look like Paronychia but it is definitely infection secondary to injury.. You can clean the area with antiseptic solution and apply a triple antibiotic ointment and a steroid ointment over it.. You can also do cool compresses.. You can also take Ibuprofen for reducing pain and inflammation and also a short course of antibiotics can be taken.. In case if it does not resolve in a week or does not should signs of improvement consult a General surgeon and get evaluated.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.