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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Paronychia Treatment

1. Protect Nail

  • Do not remove any part of the nail. 
  • If an artificial nail is on an infected finger, remove it.

 

2. Reduce Pain and Swelling

For mild nail infectionor while waiting to see a doctor:

  • Soak the affected foot or hand 2 to 3 times daily in warm salt water.
  • Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and bandage.

 

3. When to See a Doctor

Seek medical help as soon as possible if:

  • Symptoms don’t improve after 2 to 3 days.
  • A pus-filled abscess pocket forms on the side or base of the nail.
  • The person has a fever and red streaks around the nail, nail discoloration, or joint or muscle pain.
  • The person has diabetes.

 

4. Follow Up

If you seek medical help:

  • The doctor may sample pus or fluid and prescribe an antibiotic or anti-fungal medication.
  • If a pus-filled abscess pocket develops, a doctor may need to drain it.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on September 27, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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