AboutKidsHealth

 

 

Fingernail infection (paronychia)FFingernail infection (paronychia)Fingernail infection (paronychia)EnglishDermatologyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Fingers;ToesNailsConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-05-10T04:00:00Z8.0000000000000062.7000000000000497.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>An overview of fingernail infections including possible causes, treatment and when to see a doctor.</p><h2>What is a fingernail infection? </h2><p>Fingernail infections occur on or near the edge of the nail. Most of the time, fingernail infections are not serious but they can be painful. This type of infection can also form on the toenails.​</p><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>Nail infections can occur on the hands and the feet.</li> <li>Nail biting and finger sucking can cause breaks in the skin, allowing bacteria to enter. </li> <li>Symptoms include swelling, redness and tenderness of the area where the nail meets the tissue of the finger. </li> <li>Clean the infected nail three times a day with warm water and an antibacterial soap.</li> <li>If the infection has not gone away after four or five days, seek medical attention.</li> </ul><h2>Signs and symptoms of a fingernail infection</h2> <p>Signs and symptoms may include: </p> <ul> <li>Swelling where the finger meets the nail </li> <li>Redness and mild tenderness surrounding the infected area </li> <li>A blister filled with pus or pus draining from the swollen area </li> </ul><h2>Causes of a fingernail infection</h2> <p>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. </p><h2>Treatment of a fingernail infection</h2> <h3>Antiseptic soaks </h3> <p>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. </p> <h3>Draining </h3> <p>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. If this does not work, then see your doctor. You doctor may take a small needle to open up the affected area and drain the pus.</p> <h3>Antibiotics </h3> <p>You can try applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin to the infected area two to three times per day. The best time to apply this ointment is after the area has been soaked in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes. If the infection persists, your child's doctor may prescribe a stronger antibiotic ointment to fight the infection. Apply the ointment as directed until the infection disappears. If the infection appears to be spreading beyond the nail, your child's doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. </p> <h3>Prevention </h3> <p>Encourage your child to not bite, pick or chew their fingernails. Use nail clippers instead. Avoid pushing cuticles down and do not trim the cuticle. </p><h2>When to see a doctor</h2><p>Make an appointment with your child's doctor if: </p><ul><li>your child develops a <a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a></li><li>the infection has not cleared after four or five days</li><li>the area of redness or swelling is getting bigger</li><li>the area is hot and painful</li></ul>
Infection des ongles (périonyxis ou paronychie)IInfection des ongles (périonyxis ou paronychie)Fingernail infection (paronychia)FrenchDermatologyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Fingers;ToesNailsConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-05-10T04:00:00ZHealth (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Un aperçu des infections des ongles, comme les causes possibles, le traitement et quand consulter un médecin.</p><h2>Qu’est ce qu’une infection des ongles?</h2><p>Les infections des ongles se produisent sur ou près de la peau autour de l’ongle. La plupart du temps, les infections des ongles ne sont pas graves, mais elles peuvent être douloureuses. Ce type d’infection peut également apparaître sur les ongles des orteils.<br></p><h2>À retenir</h2> <ul> <li>Les infections des ongles peuvent se manifester sur les mains et sur les pieds. </li> <li>Se ronger les ongles et se sucer les doigts peut causer des lésions cutanées, ce qui permet aux bactéries d’y entrer. </li> <li>L’enflure, les rougeurs et la sensibilité près de la région infectée sont quelques uns des symptômes. </li> <li>Nettoyez l’ongle infecté trois fois par jour dans de l'eau chaude et un savon antiseptique. </li> <li>Si l’infection est toujours là après quatre ou cinq jours, consultez un médecin.</li></ul><h2>Signes et symptômes</h2><p>Voici certains des signes et des symptômes des infections des ongles :<br></p><ul><li>enflure à l’endroit où la cuticule rencontre l’ongle; </li><li>rougeurs et légère sensibilité autour de la région infectée; </li><li>une ampoule remplie de pus jaune ou de pus jaune s’écoulant de la région enflée.</li></ul><h2>Causes </h2> <p>Les infections des ongles sont causées par des bactéries qui entrent sous la peau autour de l’ongle. Se ronger les ongles (onychophagie), les ongles incarnés et se sucer les doigts peut endommager la peau et permettre aux bactéries d’y entrer. Repousser ou couper la cuticule (ceci fait généralement partie d'une manucure) peut aussi entraîner une infection.<br></p><h2>Traitement</h2> <h3>Laisser tremper l’infection dans une solution antiseptique</h3> <p>Laissez tremper l’infection dans de l’eau chaude et un savon antiseptique. Répétez cette procédure 3 fois par jour à raison de périodes de 10 à 20 minutes. Si l’infection n’est pas guérie après quatre ou cinq jours, prenez un rendez-vous avec le médecin de votre enfant.</p> <h3>Drainage</h3> <p>Dans la plupart des cas, le pus s’écoulera tout seul après avoir laissé tremper le site infecté. Il se peut que vous deviez exercer une légère pression en frottant ou en appuyant délicatement sur la région avec une serviette humide ou un coton tige. Si cela ne fonctionne pas, allez voir le médecin. Il est possible qu'il draine le pus en ouvrant la région infectée à l’aide d’une aiguille.</p> <h3>Antibiotiques</h3> <p>Vous pouvez commencer par appliquer une pommade antibiotique en vente libre, telle que Polisporin, sur la zone infectée deux à trois fois par jour. Le meilleur moment pour appliquer cette pommade est juste après avoir faire tremper le(s) doigt(s) infecté(s) dans de l'eau chaude pendant 10 à 20 minutes. Si l'infection persiste, le médecin de votre enfant pourrait prescrire une pommade antibiotique plus forte afin de combattre l’infection. Appliquez la pommade selon les directives jusqu’à ce que l’infection disparaisse. Si l’infection semble se propager au delà de l’ongle, le médecin de votre enfant pourrait prescrire un antibiotique oral.</p> <h2>Prévention</h2> <p>Encouragez votre enfant à ne pas se ronger les ongles, les écorcher ou les mâcher. Utilisez plutôt un coupe-ongles. Évitez de repousser ou couper les cuticules.</p><h2>Quand consulter un médecin?</h2><p>Prenez un rendez vous avec le médecin de votre enfant si :</p><ul><li>votre enfant a de la <a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=French">fièvre</a>; </li><li>l’infection n’est pas guérie après quatre ou cinq jours; </li><li>les rougeurs ou l’enflure prennent de l’ampleur;<br></li><li>si la région est chaude et douloureuse.</li></ul>

 

 

 

 

Fingernail infection (paronychia)767.000000000000Fingernail infection (paronychia)Fingernail infection (paronychia)FEnglishDermatologyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Fingers;ToesNailsConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-05-10T04:00:00Z8.0000000000000062.7000000000000497.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>An overview of fingernail infections including possible causes, treatment and when to see a doctor.</p><h2>What is a fingernail infection? </h2><p>Fingernail infections occur on or near the edge of the nail. Most of the time, fingernail infections are not serious but they can be painful. This type of infection can also form on the toenails.​</p><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>Nail infections can occur on the hands and the feet.</li> <li>Nail biting and finger sucking can cause breaks in the skin, allowing bacteria to enter. </li> <li>Symptoms include swelling, redness and tenderness of the area where the nail meets the tissue of the finger. </li> <li>Clean the infected nail three times a day with warm water and an antibacterial soap.</li> <li>If the infection has not gone away after four or five days, seek medical attention.</li> </ul><h2>Signs and symptoms of a fingernail infection</h2> <p>Signs and symptoms may include: </p> <ul> <li>Swelling where the finger meets the nail </li> <li>Redness and mild tenderness surrounding the infected area </li> <li>A blister filled with pus or pus draining from the swollen area </li> </ul><h2>Causes of a fingernail infection</h2> <p>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. </p><h2>Treatment of a fingernail infection</h2> <h3>Antiseptic soaks </h3> <p>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. </p> <h3>Draining </h3> <p>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. If this does not work, then see your doctor. You doctor may take a small needle to open up the affected area and drain the pus.</p> <h3>Antibiotics </h3> <p>You can try applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin to the infected area two to three times per day. The best time to apply this ointment is after the area has been soaked in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes. If the infection persists, your child's doctor may prescribe a stronger antibiotic ointment to fight the infection. Apply the ointment as directed until the infection disappears. If the infection appears to be spreading beyond the nail, your child's doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. </p> <h3>Prevention </h3> <p>Encourage your child to not bite, pick or chew their fingernails. Use nail clippers instead. Avoid pushing cuticles down and do not trim the cuticle. </p><h2>When to see a doctor</h2><p>Make an appointment with your child's doctor if: </p><ul><li>your child develops a <a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a></li><li>the infection has not cleared after four or five days</li><li>the area of redness or swelling is getting bigger</li><li>the area is hot and painful</li></ul><img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/fingernail_infection.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/fingernail_infection.jpgFingernail infection (paronychia)FalseFingernail infection An easy-to-understand overview of fingernail infections including possible causes, treatment and when to see a doctor.

Thank you to our sponsors

AboutKidsHealth is proud to partner with the following sponsors as they support our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Canada and around the world by making accessible health care information available via the internet.

Our Sponsors

Find and follow us online
Monthly newsletter sign-up