Paronychia is an infection seen around the skin of fingernails and toenails .
It is typically caused by bacteria or yeast (candida) infection. The bacteria and yeast may combine in one infection.
Paronychia can develop slowly and stay for weeks or it can show up suddenly and get resolved within two to three days.
Paronychia can be easily diagnosed based on the sign and symptoms.
Treatment is also successful with little or no damage to the skin of fingernails and toenails.
If not treated on time, the infection can become severe and it may result in partial or complete loss of affected nails.
Homoeopathic remedies for paronychia can successfully cure it and help in easing the pain, redness, swelling and in some cases pus formation.
Paronychia Types
Paronychia can be of two types depending on the onset, duration and the causative organisms.
The two types of paronychia are acute paronychia and chronic paronychia.
Let’s take a look at them one by one,
Acute paronychia:
Acute paronychia develops quickly. It affects the skin around the fingernails.
It is caused by damage to the skin around the nails by biting, picking, manicuring, hangnails or other injuries.
The most common infecting organisms causing acute paronychia are Staphylococcus and Enterococcus.
Chronic paronychia:
Chronic paronychia can develop around the fingers or toes in human. It develops and stays for several weeks.
The infection often comes back. It is caused by more than one infecting agent namely, bacteria and candida yeast.
Constantly working in water makes a person more to get infected and develop paronychia.
The constant wet skin and excessive soaking affect the natural barrier of the skin i.e., the cuticle.
This favours the growth of bacteria and yeasts underneath the skin and causes infection.
Paronychia Causes
There are many causes of both acute paronychia and chronic paronychia.
In most cases, the cause is bacteria or yeast or it can be a combination of both.
Acute paronychia:
It is usually caused by the bacteria that enters the skin around the nails through a cut due to a recent injury.
Biting, picking nails or hangnails and skin punctured by manicure tools can be the potential cause.
Pushing down cuticles aggressively and similar injuries can cause paronychia.
Chronic paronychia:
The most common cause of chronic paronychia is candida yeast. It can also be caused by bacteria.
Yeast grows well in a moist environment therefore, too much water exposure to hands and feet can lead to paronychia as it causes the skin to become moist.
Chronic inflammation of the skin can also cause paronychia.
Paronychia Symptoms
The symptoms of both types i.e., acute and chronic paronychia are usually similar.
The onset and duration of infection can be different in both types.
Acute infections do not last long but chronic infection can develop gradually and stays for several weeks.
Let’s take a look at the symptoms of paronychia.
The skin around the nails becomes fiery red.
The skin around the nail becomes tender i.e., pain occurs on touch.
There is a formation of a pus-filled blister around the nails.
The patient notices a change in the shape, colour and texture of the skin around the nails.
In some patients, nail detachment can be seen.
Risk Factors for Paronychia
There are certain risk factors for paronychia that makes a person more prone to get affected by it.
Let’s discuss the risk factors one by one.
Poor hygiene:
Poor hygiene can play an important role in the development of paronychia.
Poor hygiene allows bacteria and germs to enter the skin.
Injury:
Injuries caused to the skin around the nails such as by biting, picking, manicure tools and other causes are potential risk factors for paronychia.
Excessive exposure to water:
Excessive exposure to water and wetting of the hands and feet can affect the barrier of the skin.
This leads to the growth of bacteria and candida yeast on the skin around the finger.
Paronychia Diagnosis
In most cases, paronychia can be diagnosed simply by observation.
The doctor will ask about the symptoms and make the diagnosis.
If the treatment doesn’t seem to help, the doctor may send the pus sample to the laboratory for further evaluation.
The exact cause of the infection can be found which will help in the selection of the best treatment possible.
Paronychia Management
Certain management tips can be followed to aid in the fast recovery of paronychia along with suitable medical treatment.
Keep the hands dry and warm.
Avoid excessive exposure to water or wear protective gloves.
Keep the fingernails clean and dry.
After getting the hands dirty, wash them with soap, and clean and dry them properly.
Acute paronychia usually resolves within a few days, chronic paronychia may take several weeks to get resolved.
It may keep recurring in predisposed people.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Paronychia
Homeopathy has a mild, quick and gentle way of healing for patients suffering from paronychia.
The medicines can be given to patients of any age and sex including small children to the older age group people. These medicines are very effective and safe for everyone.
There are so many wonderful and effective medicines in homeopathy for the treatment of paronychia patients.
Homeopathy can help to completely cure the case without any adverse effects and also prevent further complications.
Let’s take a look at the wonderful medicines in homeopathy indicated for the treatment of paronychia.
1. HEPAR SULPH: For paronychia with great sensitiveness to the slightest touch
Symptoms:
Hepar sulph is the top most indicated medicine for the treatment of paronychia in homeopathy.
The area around the fingernails becomes extremely sensitive to the slightest touch.
The affected area is prone to suppuration and extension. The affected skin suppurates with prickly pain.
There are deep cracks in the hands and feet of the patient. There is a formation of a pus-filled sac that may contain blood.
There is burning, stinging pain and easy bleeding. The patient complains of sticking and pricking pain in the affected area.
Hepar Sulph is a very helpful medicine for a patient who is predisposed to paronychia and it keeps recurring.
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.
2. SILICEA: For paronychia with offensive pus
Symptoms:
Silicea is used for the treatment of paronychia due to cracks at the end of fingers.
The bacteria and candida (yeast) enter the skin through the cracks and cause infection.
The affected area becomes rose-coloured. There is swelling, and redness with intense pain.
The fingertip suddenly becomes painful. It is helpful for patients who get paronychia due to injury to the fingers and toes.
There is a collection of offensive pus under the skin around the fingers and toes.
The patient complains that every little injury suppurates. There is long-lasting suppuration.
Silicea can be useful for both acute and chronic paronychia.
The fingertips are dry. The affected area itches during the daytime and in the evening.
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. APIS MELLIFICA: For paronychia with stinging pain
Symptoms:
Apis Mel is a helpful medicine for patients suffering from paronychia who complains of a very sore and stinging pain in the affected area.
The fingertips become extremely sensitive. There is swelling, redness and pain in the finger and toes.
The patient complains of burning pains. Apis Mel can be used to successfully treat acute cases of paronychia.
The symptoms of Apis Mel patients become worse by heat in any form, touch or pressure.
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.
4. FLUORIC ACID: For paronychia worse due to warmth
Symptoms:
Fluoric Acid is a wonderful medicine for patients with paronychia with pains and red edges of swelling.
The symptoms of a Fluoric Acid patient get worse due to warmth.
The patient complains of a sensation as if burning vapours are emitted from the affected area.
There is itching in the affected finger and toes. The nails grow rapidly.
There is a characteristic feature of Fluoric Acid patient that he is having profuse, sour and offensive perspiration.
Warmth, morning and warm drinks make the symptoms worse. The symptoms get better by cold while walking.
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.
5.TARENTULA CUBENSIS: For paronychia with purpulish hue
Symptoms:
Tarentula Cubensis is beneficial for patients of paronychia who complain of unbearable pain in the finger and toes due to paronychia.
The affected area becomes red with swelling burning and stinging pains.
The patient says that it feels as if he is puffed all over.
Tarentula is a helpful medicine for cases where pain and inflammation predominate.
It can cure the most severe type of paronychia with pain. It is helpful for various forms of suppuration.
The patient is having restless feet, and cannot keep them still.
Tarentula Cubensis cure the case and also helps in preventing further complications.
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. MYRISTICA SEBIFERA: For paronychia due to traumatic infection
Symptoms:
Myristica Sebifera is a remedy of great antiseptic powers. It is a helpful medicine for inflammation occurring in the body.
Myristica Sebifera can be given in the cases where paronychia developed as a result of trauma or injury such as biting, hangnails, picking and injury due to manicure tools and other objects.
It is helpful for the pain in the fingernails with swelling of the phalanges.
The hands become stiff as if squeezing something for a long time.
It is a helpful medicine for the treatment of paronychia with pus formation. Myristica Sebifera hastens supuration and shortens its duration.
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.
7. HYPERICUM: For paronychia with excessive painfulness
Symptoms:
Hypericum is well-known medicine for the treatment of paronychia characterised by excessive painfulness.
It is helpful for cases where paronychia develops due to a crushed finger injury or punctured wounds, especially the tips.
There is tingling, burning and numbness in the affected area.
The patient complains of intense itching in the finger and toes due to paronychia.
Hypericum is a widely used medicine for the treatment of traumatic neuritis and neuralgia pains.
The symptoms of Hypericum patients are worse due to the least touch and exposure.
The affected finger or toe becomes red with swelling and intense pain.
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.
8. BELLADONNA: For paronychia with redness, heat and tenderness
Symptoms:
Belladonna is a very popular medicine for the treatment of paronychia in homeopathy.
The characterising symptoms are dry, hot, swollen and sensitive fingers and toes.
The symptoms are brought up suddenly. Belladonna is a very helpful medicine for acute cases of paronychia.
There is a collection of pus in the affected area with intense pain in the fingertips. There is alternate redness and paleness of the skin.
Belladonna successfully treats paronychia and prevents further complications.
There is the development of induration after inflammation in the affected area.
When these symptoms match with the symptoms of the patient, Belladonna is the best 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.
9. LEDUM PAL: For paronychia with sticking pain
Symptoms:
Ledum Pal is a wonderful medicine for the treatment of paronychia patients.
The fingertips are swollen with redness and intense pain. There is a collection of pus under the skin.
One of the characteristic features of the Ledum Pal patient is that he complains of sticking pain in the affected area.
Ledum Pal is helpful for acute as well as chronic cases of paronychia.
Ledum Pal resolves the pus and swelling in the fingertips effectively and also eases the intense pain that the patient is suffering from due to paronychia.
There is itching in the fingertips that becomes worse on scratching.
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.
10. SULPHUR: For felon finger with unhealthy skin
Symptoms:
The skin of the Sulphur patient is dry, scaly and unhealthy, every little injury suppurates.
Sulphur is the skin leader in Homeopathy with the capability to heal a wide range of skin manifestations.
The fingertips itch and burn and become worse on washing and scratching.
There is intense pain with swelling, burning and redness in the fingertips.
Sulphur is the best medicine to treat paronychia cases occurring due to hangnails.
The symptoms are worse due to exposure to water. It can be given to parents who develop paronychia due to excessive washing and wet hands.
When these symptoms match, Sulphur can cure the case.
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.
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.