Pus under the big toe nail treatment

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Panaritium is a disease of an infectious nature. The main symptom of the condition is the accumulation of pus under the nail plate. The inflammatory process affects the soft tissues of the fingers. An abscess under the toenail causes pain. If measures are not taken to remove it, a complication develops. Inflammation reaches the bone tissue.

Causes of pathology

Pus under the toenail begins to accumulate due to the pathological activity of microorganisms. Bacteria enter through existing small wounds or cracks. Factors provoking the development of panaritium can be:

improper nail care; lack of disinfection of pedicure instruments; injuries; splinters under the nails; ingrown nails; fungal infection; endocrine diseases; metabolic disorders in the body.

The appearance of pus under the nail is a consequence of the work of the protective system. Essentially it is a mixture of living and dead white blood cells. Such blood cells accumulate in areas where the inflammatory process occurs. The immune system ensures the destruction of pathogens that have penetrated under the nail plate and into the soft tissues.

Inflammation on the toes develops quickly. This is due to the difficulty of maintaining absolute purity. High humidity is a favorable environment for the development and activity of pathogenic microorganisms.

Treatment of pathology is associated with stopping the inflammatory process. It is also important to draw out any existing pus from under the nail. If you suspect the presence of panaritium, you should consult a doctor. It is not possible to remove pus yourself in all cases.

Causes

If we consider the reasons for which a suppurative process occurs on the thumb in the area of ​​the nail plate, then mechanical factors come first. Often, when performing a pedicure on a woman or routinely cutting nails on a man, soft tissue trauma occurs. In addition, it is harmful to cut the nails too much, leaving sharp edges, which is why during subsequent growth the corner of the nail plate rotates into the skin. The fact is that the feet are subject to excessive sweating and contamination, and even a small wound can be very painful and lead to the development of suppuration. By the way, in most cases in which felon is diagnosed, rotation of the nail is detected.

In addition to injury from cutting nails, a toe can be damaged by a bruise, a heavy object falling on the foot, or exposure to high temperatures or chemicals. Thus, a chemical or thermal burn occurs, which is very painful and takes a long time to heal. If you do not create sterile conditions for the wound, that is, do not bandage it or wear a bandage, then infection quickly sets in, after which suppuration develops. Several factors increase the risk of infection during injuries:

weakened immune system; chronic lesions during exacerbation; impaired metabolism (diabetes mellitus); elderly age.

In this category of people, the immune system does not always cope with inflammation; wounds take a long time to heal, which is why there is a very high risk of suppuration when a finger is injured or the nail of the first toe is rotated.

Most often, an infection in the form of streptococci, staphylococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurs at the site of injury.

You can get a festering toe near the nail due to a fungal infection. You can catch a fungus if you do not maintain personal hygiene; for example, infection is dangerous in a sauna, swimming pool, gym, where your feet come into contact with the floor surface.

Often the fungus is transmitted from relatives, especially if the person’s body is weakened. Toes in most cases are affected by yeast-like fungi (candidiasis or mycosis).

Infrequent causes of finger suppuration can be cited: tearing off a hangnail, wounding a callus, or using an unsterile instrument for pedicure.

Main symptoms

Pathology has its own characteristic symptoms. Based on these characteristics, it is differentiated from other conditions.

A person is bothered by painful sensations. Their intensity is high. The nature of the pain is pulsating. It appears not only when walking, but also in a calm state. If the finger festers, the soft tissues swell. The swelling is quite severe. The periungual fold becomes rigid. Sometimes the entire foot swells. Redness also indicates suppuration. A change in skin color is observed directly around the damaged nail. A local increase in temperature indicates that there is pus under the nail. The finger becomes hot.

Subungual felon may not show other visual signs. As it develops, large amounts of pus accumulate. The nail gradually changes. The plate may thicken or crumble. Pathogenic microorganisms destroy the nail bed.

If there is a lot of pus, then the symptoms intensify. The pain becomes unbearable. An accumulation of leukocytes is noticeable in the corner of the damaged nail. It is visualized as a yellowish spot under the top layer of skin. In severe cases, when the inflammatory process spreads throughout all soft tissues, a person experiences an increase in body temperature. This is a reason to contact a specialist.

The use of ointments for the treatment of felon

In the early stages, panaritium on the big toe can be cured at home. The main task is to draw out the pus. Experts advise using ointments. An overview of the most famous drugs is given in the table.

The duration of use of ointments is determined by the doctor. Some drugs have their limitations. Thus, Dioxidin is not prescribed in childhood, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. If a child has pus under the nail, then it is better to choose Vishnevsky ointment. It is considered the safest drug.

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Local agents are used as applications. The ointment is applied liberally to the damaged nail. A fixing bandage is applied on top. The application is left overnight. During this time, the active components have time to penetrate under the nail. Gradually, the inflammation decreases and the pain subsides.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional and home methods for treating paronychia help in mild and initial cases of the disease. If it is obvious that a trip to the doctor is necessary, do not hesitate and look for easy ways to recover. Spare your finger and go to the doctor!

nail baths at home

Nail baths at home

The advice is to soak the inflamed nail several times a day for 15 minutes. in a small container with water and a disinfectant. It could be anything: a drug purchased at a pharmacy, soda, special soap, etc.

nail baths with iodine at home

Disinfecting compresses

To make such a compress, you will need any disinfectant, gauze or cotton wool, a bandage, a plaster or something to secure the “structure” on the finger. Gauze or a bandage with the product applied to it should be placed on the finger and secured. Keep this for 8 hours while sleeping. In the morning, the pus will begin to come out. Gently rinse the painful area. Repeat the procedure until complete recovery.

Ointment for abscesses near the nail

Ointment at home

What you need for cooking:

1. grated laundry soap (50 gr.),
2. rye flour (50 gr.),
3. vegetable oil (tablespoon),
4. honey (tablespoon),
5. boiling water (200 ml.).

Mix all ingredients and cook for 3 minutes.

Buy ointment for boils at the Pharmacy

If you need it urgently, buy it at the pharmacy:

• tetracycline (eye ointment 1%);
• ichthyol (ointment for external use);
• levomekol;
• Vishnevsky ointment.

How to draw out pus using folk remedies

Many people are interested in how to remove pus without the use of medications. There are several effective traditional medicine recipes. If there is a slight local inflammation, you can try to remove the pus yourself. To do this, the damaged toe is steamed in hot water. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is added to the bath. This will provide an antibacterial effect.

In some cases, a tear forms on its own in the skin of the periungual fold. Through this hole the pus comes out. It is important not to introduce infection into an open wound. The surface of the skin and the nail itself are treated with alcohol.

If your finger is festering, you can make a foot bath with herbs. Experts recommend using the following plants:

chamomile; calendula; sage; St. John's wort; plantain.

A decoction is prepared from a mixture of herbs, which is added to the water for taking a bath. Extracts from these plants have antimicrobial properties. This decoction stimulates the healing of damaged tissues.

Another way to cure a festering nail is to use propolis. The tincture of this product is diluted with water. The resulting solution is added to the bath or used as a compress to draw out pus.

If your finger breaks, then lotions with an alcohol solution of furatsilin will help. A sterile gauze pad is soaked in the substance. The compress is applied to the finger and left overnight. The bandage can be moistened with the solution as it dries.

Surgery and possible complications

It is possible to treat felon at home with ointments or folk remedies only in the early stages. If the pus under the nail causes severe pain, the finger is swollen and red, then you need to seek medical help.

The doctor will conduct an examination and decide what to do in a particular situation. It may be necessary to open cavities containing pus under local anesthesia. In some cases, the entire nail plate is removed.

The resulting wound may fester again. To prevent the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, the doctor will recommend treating the skin with an antiseptic. For this purpose, iodine, brilliant green or hydrogen peroxide are used.

Panaritium cannot be ignored. This condition can provoke the development of serious complications. The main ones are:

sepsis; lymphangitis; lymphadenitis; gangrene.

After removing the pus from under the nail, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Medicines will eliminate microorganisms remaining in the tissues. Inflammatory processes subside. Healthy tissue forms at the site of the wound.

After eliminating the abscess, it is important to follow preventive measures. The soreness may persist for several days. A gauze bandage will provide protection from dust and contamination. Shoes should be loose. These rules will help keep your nails healthy.

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Purulent inflammation of the skin and other tissues of the fingers and toes is called felon. Pus under the nail on the big toe can appear due to skin damage, poorly done manicure and pedicure, ingrown toenails that allow microbes to penetrate into deep tissues, as well as various diseases such as melanoma, etc. But sometimes suppuration under nail on the big toe may indicate serious problems that require immediate treatment. If the skin around the nail is inflamed, and there is also an accumulation of pus under the thumbnail, you should immediately go to a specialist. Treatment of the disease is most often conservative, including the use of special ointments and gels, foot baths, but in severe cases surgery cannot be avoided.

Features of the treatment of pus on the finger

Pus on the toe near the nail is a situation that requires immediate treatment. If there is any doubt about the underlying cause, consult a surgeon. A dermatologist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment for fungus, and a diabetic foot specialist can give recommendations to a patient with diabetes. If there is a complication from an incorrectly performed pedicure, you should contact a podiatrist, as with ingrown toenails.

Medication

If it breaks out in the area of ​​the fingers or toes, in the nail growth area, then you need to react and begin treatment quickly. Treatment of the abscess begins with the use of local antiseptics in liquid form. It is necessary to lubricate the area around them to prevent the spread of infection. Hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin should be irrigated at the site of inflammation or applied with a moistened swab.

It is useful in treatment if a toenail breaks, prescribing ointments with a complex antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. They are used to relieve the inflammatory reaction, activate the evacuation of pus, accelerate skin regeneration and partially minimize pain, and reduce the risk of spreading infection. The ointment is applied to the tampon, then to the wound under a bandage with fixation. The change occurs up to several times a day until complete recovery.

List of medications for treatment if abscesses occur in the area of ​​the nails on the fingers and toes:

• Vishnevsky balm;
• Levomekol;
• Bonderm;
• Ichthyolka;
• Levosin;
• Metronidazole;
• Sintomycin;
• Imibact.

If it breaks out at the nail, then you can replace compresses for treatment with ointments with wet dressings with Dimexide, Levomycetin. Ointments for mycotic diagnosis on the leg and finger are prescribed by a doctor.

For severe pain in the leg or nail, take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for treatment: Ibuprofen, Analgin, Ketorol and its analogues, Paracetamol. Taking Aspirin by children is prohibited.

Treatment with antibiotic tablets for abscesses on the feet may be necessary if the symptoms on the nail and finger do not decrease and the patient’s condition worsens. Their appointment requires contacting a doctor.

Surgical

In case of late or inadequate conservative treatment of an abscess on a finger or toe, and if complications develop, it is necessary to resort to nail surgery. The main goal is to remove pus. Drainage of the lesion is performed under local anesthesia.

If it breaks out on an inflamed area, during the intervention the abnormal skin is trimmed and excised to remove the pus. The wound is covered with a sterile bandage for five days. If the inflammation has gone deep into the tissues of the leg, an incision is made at the edge of the base of the nail. The skin of the roller is pulled back and cleaned.

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If the nail plate peels off due to purulent swelling, it is excised during treatment.

If the entire nail is deformed due to an abscess, two cuts of up to fifteen millimeters are made, the plate is removed, and the pus is evacuated. A rubber pad with Vaseline is placed under the skin flap, and the skin is placed in place. A bandage is applied to the finger. When the suppuration from the toe stops, the rubber is not used; it is replaced with an ointment tampon to treat inflammation.

If it breaks out, but the source of inflammation has not affected the nail itself, and the abscess on the leg is large, causing discomfort to the patient, it is opened, drained and treated according to the principle of treating any purulent wound on the finger.

In order to prevent secondary infection after surgery, a course of treatment with antibiotics and antiseptics is prescribed.

Home methods

Folk recipes for treating abscesses on your legs have a right to exist. But they should be used only after consultation with a doctor and only at the initial stage of the disease. More useful are lotions or foot baths with warm water and a decoction of anti-inflammatory herbs: chamomile, oak bark, calendula, string, linden. Brew a spoonful of dry raw materials with a glass of boiling water and leave for at least half an hour. Dilute the broth with warm water to the volume of a basin or moisten a finger and nail swab in it.

If desired, if your toe breaks out, you can treat it with baths with potassium permanganate, diluted to a pale pinkish color, or soda-salt baths. Dissolve a spoonful of soda and salt in 200 ml of water, add warm water.

Treatment with an onion compress if it breaks out in the area of ​​the toenails:

1. Take part of the onion head and wash it.
2. Grate on a coarse grater.
3. Squeeze out the juice a little.
4. Add a spoonful of honey for thickness.
5. Spread the mixture onto several layers of gauze.
6. Place a plaster on the finger with the abscess or a nail under plastic.
7. Keep on your leg for two hours.
8. Apply the compress twice every 24 hours, replacing it with a new one.
9. On the third day, if there is no effect from treatment and the finger continues to tear, a doctor’s consultation is indicated.

The same compresses for treatment, if it breaks out, can be made with mashed aloe pulp, taken from a thick, fleshy leaf.

Causes of the disease

As a rule, panaritium develops after an infection gets under the nail. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream if the skin near the nail is damaged.

Most often, panaritium of the upper and lower extremities develops:

Children who have the habit of biting their nails or sucking their fingers. For an ingrown toenail. For fungus on the nails and feet (onychomycosis). For diabetes mellitus, impaired blood flow in the lower extremities (thrombophlebitis, melanoma, etc.). For people whose professions involve manual labor.

It should be noted that if a growth appears on the nail of the big toe (for example, a wart), and the nail in the affected area moves away from the nail bed, you also need to seek help from specialists.

Sometimes the disease can be found in infants and young children. This can be explained simply: the child’s nails were carelessly processed or the wound on the finger was not treated in a timely manner. Young children do not have as strong an immune system as adults, so if a child experiences yellowing of the finger or bleeding under the skin, the inflammation must be eliminated as soon as possible. Untimely treatment of suppuration will not only not give the desired effect, but also threatens with serious complications for the body.

At first glance, felon does not seem to be a serious problem, and treating the disease is not an easy procedure. It is for this reason that you first need to consult with a specialist, because if treated incorrectly, panaritium can develop into another ailment. There is no need to neglect preventive measures, for example, wearing orthopedic insoles and shoes.

On the hands, the disease can occur due to improperly done manicure. Glistening with well-groomed nails, no one even thinks that if the cuticle was not completely removed in the process, then the remaining pieces of skin can come off if you put your hands in your pockets. As a result, the cuticle curls, the skin moves away from the nail, and microbes enter the resulting cavity, penetrating into the blood, and inflammation begins.

On the feet, inflammation can begin due to a poorly done pedicure, uncomfortable shoes, especially if they have simple, not orthopedic insoles. In addition, panaritium can be caused by another disease, for example, tumors on the fingers (melanoma, etc.).

Not only does a nail that comes away from the bed, under which pus accumulates, cause constant attacks of pain, but also the consequences vary. The least that can happen if treatment is not started is loss of mobility of the fingers and toes. This happens due to the fact that pus penetrates deep into the tissues, damaging the tendons.

The greatest harm that a disease can cause to the body is blood poisoning and sepsis. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, this may lead to the death of a person. With felon during pregnancy, the risk increases, because the disease and its consequences (for example, melanoma on the finger) can affect not only the mother’s body, but also the child.

Causes of the disease

Inflammation can affect any finger or toe. But the big toes are more vulnerable. They are more likely to be injured and suffer more than others from tight shoes. They are also much more likely to be treated incorrectly during a pedicure.

The main causes of felon include the following:

• any injuries, bruises, cuts that were not treated with antiseptics immediately after receiving them. Often the cause is an ordinary splinter;
• the appearance of purulent fluid causes an ingrown toenail;
• poor personal hygiene
• nail or foot fungus (also known as onochemical fungus);
• diabetes;
• disturbance of blood flow in the lower extremities.

The disease is common in children. It affects those babies who pick hangnails or bite and suck their nails (little children often suck their big toes); it occurs in infants when their nails are cut carelessly.

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The pathology appears in people whose work is related to wood and is dangerous: joiners, carpenters, agricultural workers.

Signs and symptoms

Panaritium can occur on both the arms and legs, and has several stages of development, differing in the depth of tissue damage. In the early stages of felon, the foot begins to turn red and a lump appears in the area of ​​the sore toe. If the infection penetrates deeper into the fatty tissue, then the attacks of pain become jerking in nature. In the advanced stage, the muscles and other tissues of the fingers begin to fester. This manifests itself in severe attacks of pain, a thickening appears, the mobility of the fingers and the entire foot is impaired, the temperature rises, and the affected toe may turn blue.

Varieties of felon

Subcutaneous and cutaneous. Inflammatory processes in the finger area, manifested by pain, itching, redness and swelling in the affected area. Most often, skin felon can be localized on your own within a couple of days without the use of special means.

Paronychia (periungual felon). In this case, the skin at the edges of the nail becomes inflamed and begins to curl. This occurs due to poor manicure, cutting of hangnails, ingrown nails and fungal infections. Subungual - an abscess under the nail plate that occurs after excessive cutting of nails, foreign matter getting under the nail, as well as after penetration of pus in other types of disease. This form of the disease is characterized by redness of the finger and discharge of pus from under the plate. Very part of the nail comes off to such an extent that it falls out. Tenosynovitis (tendon felon). Inflammatory processes that begin in the superficial layers affect the tendons of the fingers. With this form of the disease, the great toe constantly hurts, turns red, swells and loses mobility. To eliminate discomfort when moving, you have to order orthopedic insoles. Bone. The last stage of the disease, in which inflammation spreads to the bones and joints, and pain haunts the person constantly.

Purulent inflammation

An acute inflammatory process, which is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent contents, is called felon. This pathological condition often affects the fingers, and spreads not only throughout the entire thickness of the skin, but also affects other tissue elements. We can talk about the development of panaritium only if the purulent-inflammatory changes are localized on the palmar part.

The risk of felon developing in the area of ​​the fingers increases in people suffering from vitamin deficiency, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency, and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

The greatest role in the development of the purulent-inflammatory process is played by staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and streptococci. Penetration of infectious agents occurs through small puncture wounds, cuts, small bites, skin cracks and abrasions. The process of vital activity and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent contents, which, if there is no way out, spreads deep into the tissues, affecting the ligaments, muscles, tendons, as well as the area of ​​the bones of the interphalangeal joints.

Depending on the severity of the purulent-inflammatory process, conservative methods are used to treat digital panaritium, which include drug therapy and hardware physiotherapy. If conservative measures do not help, surgical intervention is used to open the panaritium. Before opening the purulent-inflammatory focus, the patient is injected with local anesthetic substances along the branches of the nerve that innervates this area. After this, the surgeon dissects the skin over the purulent focus, removes necrotic areas and purulent elements, drains the wound area, washes it with antiseptic solutions, and administers medications.

With timely treatment, the functional state and appearance of the finger are completely restored . In order to suppress the vital activity of pyogenic microorganisms, an antibiotic for felon is chosen with a broad spectrum of action that can cover the maximum number of bacteria.

Conservative therapy of a purulent-inflammatory process in the area of ​​the finger includes the following points:

• Broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs used for oral administration, as well as intramuscular and intravenous injection (Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Macropen, Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin);
• Ichthyol ointment 10%, which is used for applying applications to the area of ​​​​a purulent-inflammatory focus;
• Baths with a solution of table or sea salt. The solution for medicinal baths is prepared at the rate of 1 tablespoon of salt per 200 ml of boiled water at room temperature;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for internal and local use (Ibuprofen, Nimesil, Diclofenac, Airtal);
• UHF. This physiotherapeutic technique is prescribed only if the patient does not have clinical manifestations of an acute inflammatory reaction and general intoxication of the body.

In addition to methods of conservative treatment of digital panaritium, a heating pad with ice is applied to the inflammatory focus, which is held for half an hour.

How to treat?

Affecting the toes, the disease brings discomfort and unpleasant sensations. Experts recommend treating this disease using traditional medicine recipes and special external preparations (ointments, creams, gels). Because the complex of traditional and classical therapy gives the maximum effect.

What to do if panaritium begins? This question is asked by everyone who has ever encountered this disease. At the first signs of inflammation, you should do various compresses, baths and lotions for the feet.

To remove pain and inflammation, it is recommended to use decoctions of medicinal plants in which the toes are dipped. Before the procedure, each nail must be sanitized with an antiseptic or sterile wipes. After the procedure, it is recommended to use orthopedic insoles.

To remove pus, you should use cosmetic sticks to lift the nail. After which you need to gently press down the nail plate and the opposite edge of the finger, thereby squeezing out the pus. Remains of pus are removed using a sterile bandage, piece of cloth or napkin. After which the finger is treated with alcohol.

Of course, experts do not recommend removing pus from under the big toe nail yourself. This procedure is best carried out by a doctor who will not only quickly conduct an examination and get rid of the abscess, but will also develop a treatment plan for the finger, because panaritium indicates various diseases, such as, for example, melanoma. In this case, self-medication will only do harm, because it is impossible to remove the cause of the pathology on your own. And without eliminating the cause, the disease cannot be cured.

How does a swelling of the toe manifest?

As a rule, panaritium damages the big toe. It is not difficult to recognize the disease; it is enough to carefully monitor your health. Symptoms corresponding to felon:

1. A swelling appears near the nail, accompanied by severe, jerking pain.
2. The tissues of the finger completely swell.
3. The skin near the nail turns red and pus begins to collect.
4. With minor movements, a person feels discomfort due to pain.

People often make a big mistake by trying to cure a disease at home, worsening their health condition. Only a doctor can help cure your toe. It is often necessary to determine the nature of the pus, the patient is asked to undergo diagnostics, an analysis of the pus is taken, and the cause of the occurrence is checked.

Analysis of pus from a finger

Preventive measures

To avoid microbes getting under the nail plate, you need to follow several rules. First of all, carefully trim your fingernails and toenails. When trimming the cuticle, do not damage the skin. Trim hangnails and remove foreign bodies from under the nail in a timely manner. Also, wear only orthopedic shoes and insoles.

There is such an unpleasant and dangerous disease of the periungual area as felon, accompanied by the formation of an abscess under the nail. This is a rather painful formation that interferes with full life activity. The inconvenience is also caused by the fact that the external picture of the manifestation of the disease looks very unattractive and causes concern on the part of others.

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This problem requires close attention and timely assistance. “The Perfect Manicure” will tell you what to do if pus has formed under the nail. Looking ahead, we will say that the measures presented below are in the nature of first aid and are effective only in the initial stages of the formation of felon. Serious complications require medical intervention and adequate treatment.

Suppuration of the nail. Characteristics of the problem

First, let's figure out what panaritium is. This is an inflammation of the soft tissues, mainly of the periungual area - the cuticle or lateral ridges - caused by the action of pathogenic bacteria of the streptococcus or staphylococcus group. Sometimes the localization of inflammation spreads deeper and extends under the entire nail, involving bone tissue and even tendons.

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The following types of panaritium are distinguished:

Depending on the location of the problem:

An abscess under the fingernail. Suppuration under the toenail (more common).

Depending on the affected area:

Focal when one finger is affected. Extensive, when suppuration is observed on several fingers. In severe cases, with the simultaneous formation of an abscess under the nail on the toe and fingers, and on all fingers, one should speak of general sepsis of the body and a weakening of its protective functions.

There are two types of disease progression:

Acute panaritium, when there is a rapid development of the disease with pronounced pain, redness and swelling, extensive localization of the abscess and partial immobilization of the injured limb. If you have these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Chronic (or increasing) panaritium. With this variant of the course of the disease, discomfort is felt in the affected area, pain occurs when pressing on the source of inflammation. There is slight swelling and redness of the skin. This course of the pathology is more favorable and the problem can be corrected independently using conservative and traditional methods. But it is important to start treatment on time, otherwise if the problem is started, it may progress to a stage where pus forms under the fingernail or toenail.

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If you are faced with the latest variation of felon, carefully monitor the inflammation and do not let the problem take its course, otherwise complications such as:

Sepsis. Severe blood poisoning, if not properly treated, can lead to death. Phlegmon. It is characterized by the spread of suppuration deep into the adipose tissue. Tenosynovitis. It affects the tendon area, resulting in necrosis, leading to complete immobilization of the fingers.

Why did pus form under the nail and what to do?

The reasons leading to such a terrible illness are commonplace, and anyone can encounter them:

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Inadequate hand and foot hygiene. Due to constant contact with the environment, hands contain a large number of bacteria that are difficult to wash off even when using an antiseptic. Feet, due to prolonged and frequent stay in closed shoes, are simply an ideal environment for the development of pathogenic microflora. This is why pus often forms under the nail on the big toe. Microtraumas and damage to the nail and periungual area. Even a banal splinter that has entered under the nail can lead to the formation of an abscess under the fingernail, the treatment of which will take a long time. Bad habits - thumb sucking, nail biting. It would seem that these are banal childhood habits, but they can also lead to serious consequences. Poorly done manicure and pedicure. Cuts, trauma to the nail plate, neglect of hygiene and asepsis - all this can lead to the development of panaritium.

Fans of gel manicure should refrain from covering damaged plates with gel polish. Thus, a thinned nail with small cracks, covered with a gel substance can lead to a sad picture: a nail cracked in the middle and suppuration under it - a sure sign of the formation of felon.

A specific type of professional activity. Many professions involving pollution, forced wearing of latex gloves, and constant contact with chemical and caustic compounds lead to the formation of pus under the nails. Professions at risk include: hairdresser, agricultural, medical professions, etc. Carrying out household work without gloves can lead to injury and subsequent contamination of the wound. Formation of an ingrown toenail. If this problem is left to chance, then over time it can lead to suppuration of the wound and subsequent damage to the periungual area. Diseases such as diabetes mellitus and weakened immunity are also a risk for the occurrence of panaritium.

Eliminating the above risks and paying close attention to your health will be the most effective prevention in order to prevent the formation of felon.

How to treat an abscess under the fingernail and toenail

What should you do if pus does form under your toenail or fingernail? First you need to conduct an independent visual examination. If you see redness, extensive swelling and discoloration of the tissue, and palpation of the affected area responds with severe throbbing pain, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. In this situation, it is unsafe to self-medicate; suppuration can quickly penetrate deeper and cause irreparable harm.

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The doctor will prescribe treatment, which will depend on the degree of development of the problem. Thus, conservative treatment methods involve taking a course of antibacterial drugs and external hygiene procedures.

Advanced and acute cases require immediate opening of the abscess. But how to remove pus from under the nail if its source of inflammation is located directly under it? In such particularly severe cases, surgery is required to remove the nail plate and further treatment of the wound under the supervision of a doctor. The healing period is 5 - 7 days, but in the future it is necessary to regularly perform antibacterial procedures - applying aseptic dressings and using medicinal baths.

If the abscess is small or has not yet developed, or for some reason you cannot urgently consult a doctor, then traditional remedies will come to your aid. So you can carry out the following activities yourself at home:

Disinfecting baths and baths that help draw out pus from under the nail. Therapeutic compresses. Applications based on antibacterial ointments.

Before taking baths or other methods of treating an abscess, you should carefully treat the affected area with an antiseptic - iodine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol. This way you will partially reduce the number of bacteria.

Let's look at each method in more detail.

How to remove pus from under a nail using medicinal baths

Based on their effect on the problem, baths can be divided into two groups:

Antiseptic, aimed at disinfecting wounds. Pulling out suppuration.

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The first group includes baths with infusions of chamomile, string, calendula and disinfectants - hydrogen peroxide, iodine solution, furacelin, potassium permanganate, etc. All of them should be prepared using warm water; hot water is contraindicated due to the risk of increasing the area of ​​suppuration, since elevated temperature is an ideal environment for the further development of pathogenic bacteria.

The second group includes salt baths. Moreover, they should be very salty (concentration of 5 tablespoons of table salt per liter of water). To soften the water, you can add soda to the salt solution (1 teaspoon per liter of water). In this case, the bath should be as hot as your legs or arms can tolerate. The thing is that hot water wrinkles the skin and, under its pressure, pus begins to flow out of the wound, while salt water will draw all the moisture into itself, including purulent fluid.

Know that if an abscess has formed under a fingernail or toenail, you cannot open the abscess on your own! If it has not opened on its own, then it can only be opened in a hospital setting.

Baths should last 20 minutes at least three times a day.

Compresses

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Ordinary raw beets, grated garlic, propolis, boiled onion puree, pulp of aloe leaves and even crushed plantain leaves are effective means of drawing out pus from under the nail. Any of these remedies, in the form of a compress, should be applied to the wound surface and tightly tied with gauze.

All compresses should be done at night, so you will not disturb the wound and ensure long-term exposure of beneficial substances to the affected area.