{"id":5754,"date":"2019-04-23T09:12:21","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T09:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5754"},"modified":"2021-06-04T03:00:08","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T03:00:08","slug":"14-signs-your-nails-are-infected-with-paronychia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-signs-your-nails-are-infected-with-paronychia\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs Your Nails Are Infected with Paronychia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is paronychia? It\u2019s a skin infection affecting the fingernails and toenails caused by Candida bacteria. Paronychia infection varies in its intensity and duration of symptoms, with some infections developing slowly over the course of a few weeks, to infections that flare up suddenly, and come and go in a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of paronychia are easy to identify, and reasonably easy to treat, with persistent infections being a rare occurrence and typically only occurring in the toenail. If left untreated, paronychia infection can result in significant inflammation of the infected area, causing the loss of your fingernail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paronychia comes in two different types; acute and chronic. The type of bacteria causing the infection determines the rate at which symptoms develop, as well as their intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An acute paronychia infection typically occurs suddenly in the fingernails and goes away after a few days with no lasting symptoms. However, chronic infection usually affects the toenail, and happens at a much slower pace, and can last for months or years in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight signs that your nails have a paronychia infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.    Redness and Swelling Around the Nailbed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first noticeable symptom of paronychia infection is the development of redness <\/a>and slight swelling around the nail. As the condition progresses, the fingertip or toe starts to turn bright red, as the infection spreads. In some cases, the swelling may lead to a tight feeling in the finger or toe that begins to throb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the infection attacks the nailbed, the swelling and discoloration continue. If left untreated, the skin may start to turn reddish-purple, and symptoms of pain increase as the inflammation causes issues with surrounding tissues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this stage of the infection, it\u2019s possible to confuse paronychia with a stubbed toe or a damaged finger that experienced some other form of trauma that you were unaware of \u2013 such as trapping your finger in a door or something similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the swelling and discoloration start to affect the entire fingertip or toe that the affected individual may realize they are dealing with a paronychia infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2.    Tenderness Around the Nail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the inflammation symptoms progress, you\u2019ll start to notice a tender feeling develop around your nail. Paronychia infection causes mild symptoms of pain and discomfort, and at their peak, you may find that its sore if you try to pick up something using the infected finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pressing buttons on a TV remote, turning on a faucet, or trying to open the fridge door with the infected finger may also cause symptoms of pain. The finger may even feel like its radiating heat. As the bacteria, fungus or bacteria continue to colonizer in the nail bed, they start to present inflammation <\/a>that leads to a warm feeling in the infected toe or fingertip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infected digit also displays symptoms of feeling like your skin is tightening, resulting in an uncomfortable experience where the throbbing symptoms and pain require management with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or painkillers. These symptoms should only last a few days with mild infections.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3.    Blisters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the initial symptoms of redness, swelling, and tender nail beds occur, the next stop on the list is the development of pus-filled blisters <\/a>on the edge of the nail bed, where the cuticle meets the skin. These blisters are small and may occur in clusters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blisters mainly form on the feet, as the swelling from the infection inflames the big toe. As the toe rubs on the inside of the shoe or sock, it spurs further irritation to the skin. As a result of the inflammation, the toe may form a blister, filled with clear fluid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical experts have differing opinions on whether the patient should pop the blister or not. Some say that the patient should wait and let the blister disappear on its own, while others recommend popping it to relieve pain symptoms. However, popping the blister may release more toxins into the toe, and the bacteria may end up infecting the wound as well.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4.    Nail Changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the infection continues to progress around the nail bed, the nail may start to change color, from its normal off-pink color \u2013 to a reddish hue. Should the infection continue to spread, the nail will start turning from red to purple, which is a sign of necrosis \u2013 or cell death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shape of the nail may also change, developing ridging or dents in the surface. The cuticles are experiencing significant amounts of inflammation during this stage of the infection, and they no longer have the ability to guide the growth of your nails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The texture of the nail may also start to change as the circulation <\/a>in the localized area around the nail diminishes. Some people may notice that their nails feel harder and rough in texture, as the infection prevents the nailbed from releasing oils that moisturize the nail itself. Eventually, the nail may reach a stage where it\u2019s almost entirely black in color.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5.    Nail Detachment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The final stages of paronychia infection involve the nail turning black in color as the oxygen supply, and blood flow to the area become compromised by the invading bacteria, fungus<\/a>, or virus. This symptom is particularly noticeable in toe infection, especially those people who continue to wear shoes throughout the course of the paronychia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should the affected nail turn black in color, you can expect it to either wholly or partially detach from the nail bed. The partial detachment of the nail is typical in most cases. However, they may require the infected individual to remove the rest of the toenail by themselves or visit their doctor\u2019s rooms for removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should your nail detach, the nail bed will start to grow a new one as soon as the infection clears and your cuticles and nailbed return to normal health. Some people may struggle to get rid of the paronychia for years \u2013 especially if it\u2019s a fungal infection affecting the toenails. As a result, the paronychia may spread from one toenail to others on the same foot.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6.    Bacterial Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, paronychia occurs due to infection of the nail bed, cuticle and periungual tissues in the finger or toe. The bacterial infection is the most common type, with Staphylococcus aureus being the bacteria responsible for the majority of infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection occurs for a variety of reasons, including biting fingernails too far, tearing off a hangnail, or damaging the finger through trauma \u2013 such as banging your nail in the car door. The bacteria <\/a>infect the site, causing symptoms of swelling and redness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bacterial infection is very different from a traumatic injury, and you\u2019ll notice the pain and swelling symptoms continue to escalate \u2013 rather than subside as one would expect with injuries. This sign is a clear indication of infection and a signal that it\u2019s time to seek treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candida yeast is also another common source of paronychia infection. The candida infects the cuticle, nail bed, and folds off the skin around the nail, causing symptoms to emerge.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7.    Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any other medical disorder or biological infection, there are a set of risk factors<\/a> that make some people more at risk of developing paronychia than others. If you notice that you fall into any of the following risk categories, pay attention to any signs of trauma and infection that occur on your fingers or toes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals that frequently cause macroscopic or microscopic injuries to the nail folds or cuticles. Such occupations may include working in construction or farming. The majority of cases reported by individuals involve the development of acute paronychia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barrier damage to the finger or toe through dropping heavy objects on the digits. This type of trauma typically results in cases of both acute or chronic paronychia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those individuals who frequently experience hangnails or ingrown toenails are also at risk of developing bacterial or fungal paronychia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals who don\u2019t have proper foot hygiene, and wear shoes for extended periods.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8.    Treatment Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Treatment for paronychia <\/a>varies depending on the type of infection, and whether or not it’s bacterial, fungal, or viral in nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those people that develop acute paronychia in the fingers, typically experience bacterial infection, with viral and fungal forms of the condition rare in this region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paronychia infections of the toenail may not be as forgiving, as they usually occur due to fungal infections. Some of these types are incredibly persistent, and affected individuals may battle for years to get rid of the paronychia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Persons with acute paronychia may try using treatments such as soaking their finger in warm water mixed with some baking soda. Dipping a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and applying it to the infected fingernail for a few minutes a couple of times a day is also an effective treatment for the infection. Fungal infections may require a visit to the doctor\u2019s office for anti-fungal creams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases of acute paronychia, the symptoms start to fade after 48 to 72-hours. However, the fungal variety may produce symptoms that last for months on end. In most cases of acute paronychia, the symptoms start to fade after 48 to 72-hours. However, the fungal variety may produce symptoms that last for months on end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>