If I have paronychia, do I have to remove the nail to cure it?

Not really

Paronychia is an inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the nails, and common symptoms include redness, swelling, and pain, which can be unbearable. Although in some severe or recurrent infections, nail extraction may be necessary, most of the time it can be cured without the need for nail extraction.

There are many common ways to treat paronychia, depending on the severity and cause of the infection. Mild paronychia can usually be treated with the following:

Topical treatment: Soak your fingers in warm water several times a day to reduce inflammation and pain;

Antibiotic ointment: If the infection is caused by bacteria, you can apply antibiotic ointment externally;

Other topical medications: If there is no infection, only inflammation, you can use a toothpaste containing glucocorticoids;

Avoid damage: Protect your nails, don't trim them too short, and don't squeeze or bump your nails.

For more severe paronychia, especially if an abscess has formed, your doctor may recommend minor surgery to drain the pus.

Nail extraction surgery may solve the problem quickly, but there are greater risks and complications, such as infection, bleeding, and pain. Therefore, before deciding whether to have nail extraction surgery, you need to find a doctor to fully assess the severity of the condition and your specific situation, so as not to lose more than you gain.

Author: Tang Jiaoqing, MD, attending physician of dermatology

Review | Feng Jun, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital