Why is my finger swollen around my cuticle?

Paronychia is nail inflammation that may result from trauma, irritation or infection. It can affect fingernails or toenails. Paronychia can develop when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing an infection. The cuticle is the skin at the base of the nail.

How do you treat a swollen cuticle from a swollen finger?

If you have acute paronychia, soaking the infected nail in warm water 3 to 4 times a day can help reduce pain and swelling. It should heal up in a few days. If the infection is very painful, doesn’t get better with home care, or has a pus-filled abscess, you may need to see your doctor.

How do you treat paronychia at home?

How can you care for yourself at home?

  1. Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
  2. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
  3. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

How do you heal paronychia fast?

A person with mild, acute paronychia can try soaking the affected finger or toe in warm water several times a day. If symptoms do not improve, they should seek further treatment. Mild paronychia may be treatable with just a lemon and salt.

What does a cuticle infection look like?

Infected cuticles Symptoms may include: redness of the skin around the nail. tenderness. pus-filled blisters.

Can you pop paronychia?

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.

Can you lose a finger from paronychia?

Physical signs of a finger paronychia If the infection continues, it can extend to the pulp of the finger and cause a felon, or deep tissue abscess. This requires aggressive procedures and can even lead to loss of function or amputation.