This blog explains about Paronychia toe, its symptoms, causes, risk factors, management, Paronychia healing stages and its cure by homeopathy.
Paronychia toe is an infection around the skin of the toenails. It is caused by infection by bacteria or yeast (candida).
The yeast and bacteria may coexist in an infection. Paronychia toe can be acute or chronic.
It may appear suddenly and resolves on its own within a few days. In some cases, the paronychia toe develops slowly and stays for weeks.
The diagnosis of paronychia toe is based on the sign and symptoms.
The treatment of paronychia toe can be done easily without any damage to the surrounding skin.
If paronychia toe is not treated on time the severity of infection and loss of nails may occur.
Homeopathy offers a quick, mild, and gentle treatment option for paronychia toe with fast recovery. It can also prevent complications.
Paronychia Toe Types & Healing Stages
Let’s take a look at different types of paronychia and its healing stages.
Depending upon the onset, duration, and causative organism, paronychia toe can be of two types i.e., acute and chronic.
Acute paronychia toe:
Acute paronychia develops suddenly. It affects the skin surrounding the toe.
This type of paronychia toe can be caused by injury, biting, picking toenails, or using cosmetic tools.
Staphylococcus and Enterococcus are the most common cause of acute paronychia toe.
Chronic paronychia toe:
Chronic paronychia toe starts gradually and stays for many weeks.
It affects the skin around the toe. It is caused by two or more infecting agents e.g., bacteria, or yeast (candida).
People who work for long hours in water or wet environment may get this type of paronychia toe.
The natural barrier of skin i..e, the cuticle is affected and damaged by constant exposure to water.
It leads to the growth of bacteria and yeast under the skin which causes infection.
Paronychia Toe Causes
Usually, most cases of paronychia toe are caused by bacteria or yeast (candida) or both.
There are different causes for different types of paronychia toe.
Acute paronychia toe:
Acute paronychia toe is caused by injury to the skin around the affected toe.
Injury can be caused by pedicure tools, picking, punctured nails, etc.
Chronic paronychia toe:
It is caused by yeast (candida) infection. It develops slowly and remains for a week.
Bacteria can also cause this type of paronychia toe. This occurs in people who are overexposed to moist environments or those who work in water for a long time.
Acute paronychia toe can be caused by bacteria or yeast (candida).
People who suffer from chronic inflammatory conditions of the skin may also get this type of paronychia toe.
Paronychia Symptoms
The symptoms of acute paronychia toe and chronic paronychia toe are usually similar.
Although their onset and duration differ. Acute paronychia toe resolves within a week.
Chronic paronychia toe may take several weeks to resolve completely.
The skin around the affected nail becomes red and painful.
There is swelling and tenderness in the affected area.
The patient may notice pus formation in the skin surrounding the toe.
There is the formation of pus-filled blisters around the nails of the toe.
The shape, color, and skin texture change. The patient may notice nail detachment in the affected toe.
Risk Factors for Paronychia Toe
Certain risk factors make a person more prone to get affected by paronychia toe.
Let’s look at them one by one in detail.
Injury:
Injury to the skin around the toenails can lead to the development of paronychia toe.
Injury can be caused by pedicure tools, biting, picking, hangnails, etc.
Bad hygiene practices:
Bad hygiene practices e.g., not washing feet properly, or walking barefoot on the floor or in public places may become risk factors for paronychia toe.
Constantly moist feet:
People who are exposed to a constantly moist environment or those who have to work long hours in water are at higher risk of developing this disease.
Diagnosis
The doctor will diagnose paronychia toe observing the signs and symptoms.
He will ask about the medical history and symptoms in detail and make the diagnosis.
If the treatment is not responding then the doctor may send a pus sample from the affected toe to the laboratory.
It will help in identifying the causative organism and thereby help in deciding the correct treatment plan.
Paronychia Management
Some lifestyle management tips can help the patient to get a fast recovery.
Let’s take a look at them one by one.
The feet should be kept clean and dry.
Excessive exposure to a wet environment should be avoided.
Avoid harsh pedicure tools on feet.
Wear footwear and avoid walking barefoot in public places.
Paronychia toe may keep recurring in patients who do not maintain proper hygiene.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Paronychia Toe
There are wonderful homeopathic remedies for the treatment of paronychia toe.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural sources. The medicines have no adverse effects.
It can be safely given to children, adults, and old age people.
Homeopathic remedies provide a quick, gentle, and effective treatment option for patients with paronychia toe.
It can also prevent further complications and complete the cure of the root cause.
Let’s take a look at the top indicated remedies in homeopathy for paronychia toe one by one in detail.
1. APIS MELLIFICA: For paronychia toe with extremely stinging pain
Symptoms:
Apis Mel is a top-grade medicine for patients with paronychia toe.
The characteristic feature of this medicine is that there is stinging pain in the affected toe.
The affected area becomes red, swollen, sore, and extremely sensitive.
There is a characteristic burning pain in the toe. Apis Mel is a very helpful medicine for cases of acute paronychia toe.
The symptoms of Apis Mel patients become worse with touch or pressure.
Heat in any form can also aggravate or make the conditions worse.
When these symptoms are present, Apis Mel can treat and cure the case completely.
Potency and dosage:
Apis Mellifica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Apis Mellifica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Apis Mellifica in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. SILICEA: For paronychia toe with pain and offensive pus
Symptoms:
Silicea is one of the best-indicated medicine for the treatment of paronychia toe in Homeopathy.
It is helpful for the case of paronychia toe which occurs due to the cracks in the corners of the skin of the toenails.
Cracked skin favors the entry of bacteria and yeast (candida) easily and leads to infection.
Paronychia toe that occurs due to any form of injury can also be treated by this medicine.
There is redness, swelling, and intense pain in the affected toe. The onset of symptoms is sudden.
Silicea can treat cases of paronychia toe where there is pus formation.
There is long-lasting suppuration. The patient complains that every little injury suppurates.
Potency and dosage:
Silicea 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Silicea 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Silicea in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. HEPAR SULPH: For paronychia toe with much sensitiveness to the touch
Symptoms:
The characteristic feature of the Hepar Sulph patient is that the affected become extremely sensitive to the slightest touch.
There is a prickly pain in the toe with suppuration. The patient complains of deep cracks and fissures in his hands.
There is a formation of a pus-filled sac with blood in the affected toe.
Burning and stinging pain with easy bleeding are the main features of this medicine.
Hepar Sulph is a very helpful medicine for chronic cases of paronychia toe.
Potency and dosage:
Hepar Sulph 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Hepar Sulph 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Hepar Sulph in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. HYPERICUM: For paronychia toe with excruciating pain
Symptoms:
Paronychia toe with excruciating painfulness is a characteristic feature of Hypericum.
Paronychia toe cases that occur due to crushed finger injuries or injuries to the tip of the toe can be easily treated by this medicine.
The patient complains of numbness, tingling, and burning in the affected area.
The pain and swelling are accompanied by itching. Hypericum is useful for cases of traumatic neuralgic pains due to paronychia toe.
Least touch and exposure of the affected toe can make the symptom worse.
The affected toe becomes red with excruciating pain and swelling.
When these symptoms match, Hypericum can easily complete the cure.
Potency and dosage:
Hypericum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Hypericum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Hypericum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. TARENTULA CUBENSIS: For paronychia toe with purplish discoloration
Symptoms:
Tarentula is a top-indicated medicine for complaints of paronychia toe.
The patient says that there is unbearable pain in the affected toe.
There is a characteristic feature of the Tarentula Cubensis patient he feels puffed all over.
Paronychia toe cases where pain and inflammation predominate can be successfully treated by this medicine.
Patients of paronychia toe who suffer from the most severe types of pain can be benefitted from this medicine.
The patient complains that his legs are restless, and he cannot keep them still.
Complications can be easily prevented, and recovery can be attained with this remedy if the symptoms match.
Potency and dosage:
Tarentula Cubensis 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Tarentula Cubensis 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Tarentula Cubensis in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. LEDUM PAL: For paronychia toe with sticking pain
Symptoms:
Ledum Pal is a very beneficial medicine for the treatment of paronychia toe patients.
The toe becomes swollen with redness and intense pain. The complaints of pus collection under the skin.
Sticking pain in the affected toe is the most characteristic feature of the Ledum Pal patient.
Ledum Pal can successfully treat both acute and chronic cases of paronychia toe.
This remedy can treat pus formation and intense pain easily and quickly.
The symptoms of Ledum Pal patients can become worse on scratching. There is itching in the affected area.
When these symptoms match, Ledum Pal is the best choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Ledum Pal 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ledum Pal 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ledum Pal in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. FLUORIC ACID: For paronychia toe worse in warmth
Symptoms:
Paronychia toe with red swelling edges and pain can be easily treated with Fluoric Acid.
The patient complains that the symptoms get aggravated due to warmth or heat.
The patient feels as if burning vapors are emitted from the affected toe.
The nails of a Fluoric Acid patient grow rapidly. There is swelling, and redness in the toe.
Fluoric Acid can easily treat cases of paronychia toe where itching and burning in the toe.
There is profuse, sour, and offensive perspiration from the whole body of a Fluoric Acid patient.
The symptoms get worse with warmth, warm beverages, and in the morning.
The symptoms are relieved by cold and cold drinks.
Potency and dosage:
Fluoric Acid 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Fluoric Acid 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Fluoric Acid in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. SULPHUR: For paronychia toe with unhealthy skin
Symptoms:
Paronychia toe in patients who complains of unhealthy skin can be treated with this medicine.
Every little injury suppurates, and the skin is dry and unhealthy. The affected toe becomes worse by washing and bathing. The toe itches and burns.
The patient becomes restless due to his suffering. There is pain, swelling, and redness in the toe.
Paronychia toe cases that occur due to hangnails can be easily treated with this medicine.
Paronychia toe due to excessive water exposure and wet feet can be treated with Sulphur.
Potency and dosage:
Sulphur 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Sulphur 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Sulphur in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. MYRISTICA SEBIFERA: For paronychia toe caused by trauma
Symptoms:
Myristica Sebifera is a popular medicine known for its great antiseptic powers.
It helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Myristica Sebifera is a useful medicine for paronychia toe cases that occur due to recent trauma.
Injury to the toe, picking, and crashing of the toe may lead to the development of paronychia toe.
Pain and swelling in the nails can be easily treated by this medicine. The patient complained of stiffness in the affected area.
The patient notices pus formation with extreme pain. This medicine helps to hasten suppuration and shorten the duration.
When these symptoms match, Myristica Sebifera can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Myristica Sebifera 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Myristica Sebifera 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Myristica Sebifera in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. BELLADONNA: For paronychia toe with redness and heat
Symptoms:
Belladonna is one of the best medicine for the treatment of paronychia toe patients in homeopathy.
The affected toe becomes hot, dry, swollen, and sensitive. The symptoms occur suddenly.
There is always a sudden onset of symptoms for Belladonna patients.
This medicine can be given to cure acute cases where there is much redness and throbbing pain in the toe.
It helps to reduce swelling and relieves pain and redness.
Redness and paleness of the toe alternate. It helps prevent complications and resolve the induration occurring after inflammation.
When these symptoms match, Belladonna is the most suitable choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Belladonna 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Belladonna 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Belladonna in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.