Mild bacterial infection of the skin fold next to the fingernail
Call or Return If
Pus pocket appears
Spreading redness occurs
Fever occurs
Not gone by day 4
You think your child needs to be seen
Your child becomes worse
About This Topic
Symptoms
Redness and swelling of the skin next to the fingernail
Usually involves just one small part of the skin fold
The red area is painful and tender
The redness comes out over a few days
A pus pocket (large pimple) may occur
The medical name is acute paronychia
Causes
Normally the nail plate (fingernail) and the skin fold forms a tight seal. The cuticle is a strip of dead skin cells. It seals the nail groove (the space between the skin and nail plate). It acts to fill this gap.
If this seal is broken, it provides an entry for germs. Staph is the most common germ to infect the area.
A hangnail is a loose piece of cuticle. Picking at, pulling or chewing a hangnail often starts the problem.
Nail biting is another trigger.
For teenagers, frequent manicures or using sculptured nails can cause this.
After Care Advice
Overview:
This is a mild infection of the cuticle (skinfold around the fingernail).
It is usually caused by bacteria.
Pulling at hangnails or other injury to the cuticle often starts the process.
Usually, it can be treated at home.
Here is some care advice that should help.
Warm Soaks:
Soak the infected finger in warm water and an antibacterial soap.
Soak for 10 minutes.
Repeat 3 times per day until infection is gone.
Antibiotic Ointment:
Use an antibiotic ointment (OTC) to the area 3 times per day.
Cover it with a Bandaid.
Keep doing this until the redness and pain are gone.
Antibiotic by Mouth:
If the infection is spreading, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
The drug will kill the germs that are causing the infection.
Give the drug as ordered.
Try not to forget any of the doses.
Pain:
To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) OR ibuprofen. Use as needed.
Pus Pocket Drainage:
Pus pockets need to be opened and drained.
Drainage is safer if done by a doctor.
If the pus pocket is small and your doctor wants you to open it, here's how:
Use a needle. First, clean it with rubbing alcohol.
Make a large hole through the center of the pimple.
Help the pus come out with gentle pressure.
Throw away the needle and all the pus.
Keep using an antibiotic ointment 3 times per day.
Prevention of Recurrent Fingernail Infections:
Do not pick at or chew loose pieces of cuticle (hangnails). Instead, cut them off with nail clippers.
If your child is a nail biter, help him give up this bad habit.
For teens, avoid frequent manicures.
What to Expect:
With proper treatment, this mild infection should clear up in 3 days.
Sometimes, the redness will turn into a large pimple or pus pocket.
If this occurs, contact your child's doctor to drain the pus.
