Treatment Complications Causes Prevention Outlook A hangnail is a small piece of jagged or torn skin that appears at the very edge of the fingernail. Is the hangnail infected? Share on Pinterest Redness, swelling, and pain are potential symptoms of an infected hangnail.
Complications and when to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest A hangnail infection may resolve by itself, although an infection that lasts over 6 weeks will need to be assessed by a doctor. Share on Pinterest Moisturizing the skin on the hands regularly may help to prevent hangnail infections. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage.
Dry skin: Seven home remedies. What you need to know about nail fungal infection. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. What is pus? Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD. If you need to bandage the area, allow the ointment to dry before you apply the bandage. Drain the pus gently if necessary. Often an infection will build up a small bubble or blister of pus. This pus typically will start to drain on its own as the infection starts to clear.
If you see the area oozing pus, gently press around the area to assist in draining the pus. Be careful not to break the skin, which could spread the infection. Wash the infected area gently after draining the pus, then pat dry and cover the open wound.
Do not puncture the skin any further to release the pus. See your doctor if you feel the infected area needs to be drained. Method 2. Call your doctor immediately if you develop a fever.
A fever may be a sign that the infection has spread to your bloodstream, where it can cause serious problems.
If you have even the slightest fever or start to feel sick or queasy, call your doctor right away. Typically the infection can be treated with oral antibiotics. However, these need to be started as soon as possible to be effective.
If you have a fever and delay seeking medical treatment, the infection may require more serious intervention that necessitates a hospital stay. Monitor the infected area to see if it spreads or worsens. As you treat the infection, make sure the infected area doesn't get any larger. If the swelling increases or the skin grows redder or changes color, have a doctor look at it as soon as possible.
If the nail grows discolored or thickens, this may indicate that the nail is also infected. A doctor will be able to further assess the condition and determine whether the nail needs to be removed.
Wait 4 to 5 days to see if the infection goes away. If you keep the area clean and use OTC antibiotic ointment, the infection should go away within a few days. However, if it doesn't seem to be getting any better after 4 or 5 days, seek medical treatment even if you haven't noticed any other symptoms. Take antibiotics as directed. If your doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics, take the complete course until they are gone.
Don't stop taking the antibiotics, even if you feel better or the condition of your finger improves. Method 3. Get a tetanus shot if necessary. If you have a puncture wound from a nail or other piece of metal, particularly rusty metal, or glass, get a tetanus shot as soon as possible to prevent an infection from developing. If a tetanus infection isn't treated promptly, it could be fatal.
This type of infection can also form on the toenails. Fingernail infections are caused by bacteria entering the skin around the nail. Nail biting, ingrown nails and finger sucking can cause skin breakdown, allowing bacteria to enter.
Pushing the cuticle down or trimming the cuticle which is usually done as part of a manicure can also lead to infection. Soak the affected area in warm water with an antibacterial soap.
Do this three times a day for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. If the infection has not cleared after four or five days, make an appointment to see your child's doctor. In most cases, pus will drain on its own after soaking the infection. You may need to apply a bit of pressure by gently rubbing or squeezing the area with a damp cloth or cotton swab. Ignoring an infected hangnail can make your condition worse. In rare situations, the infection may spread to other parts of your body if left untreated.
Your doctor will examine your hangnail for signs of infection. They may be able to diagnose the hangnail just by looking at it. In other cases, your doctor may want to take a sample of any pus in the infected area to send to a lab for further analysis.
You may need a prescription for an antibiotic in topical or oral form. If pus is present, your doctor may need to drain the infected area. This removes the bacteria and may help relieve pressure in the area. Check out: Fungal nail infection ».
Hangnails are common, especially if your hands are dry because of the weather or from frequent exposure to water. Most hangnails will heal on their own without any signs of infection. Infected hangnails need appropriate treatment, many of which can be done at home. If you require medical treatment for the infected hangnail, your symptoms should go away after a few days.
If you have a chronic condition, it may take several weeks to completely heal. If you suspect any kind of injury to your nail or to the skin around the nail, you should seek immediate treatment. Keep reading: How to treat an ingrown fingernail ».
0コメント