What to do about paronychia in children
Paronychia is inflammation of the tissue surrounding the nails and is common in children and teenagers. Paronychia can easily occur due to improper nail care or trauma in children. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to how to deal with paronychia in children.
1. Common symptoms of paronychia
Symptoms of paronychia usually include redness, swelling, pain, and pus. The following are typical symptoms of paronychia:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| redness and swelling | Redness and swelling of the skin around the nails |
| pain | Significant pain when touched or pressed |
| suppuration | In severe cases, yellow or white pus may appear |
| Fever | Some children may be accompanied by low-grade fever |
2. Common causes of paronychia
There are many causes of paronychia, the following are the common ones:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Improperly trimmed nails | Cut too short or cut the surrounding skin |
| trauma | Fingers pinched or hit |
| bacterial infection | Bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus aureus |
| Habitual nail biting | Children bite their nails causing skin damage |
3. Home care methods for paronychia in children
If your child's symptoms of paronychia are mild, you can try the following home care methods:
| method | Operation steps |
|---|---|
| Soak in warm water | Soak the affected area with warm water for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times a day |
| Disinfection | Use iodophor or alcohol to disinfect the affected area |
| topical antibiotic ointment | Apply antibiotic ointment such as erythromycin ointment |
| keep dry | Avoid keeping the affected area wet for long periods of time |
4. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
If home care is ineffective or the following conditions occur, you should seek medical treatment promptly:
| situation | Description |
|---|---|
| worsening of symptoms | Increased redness, swelling, and pain |
| Obvious suppuration | Increased or spreading pus |
| Fever | Body temperature exceeds 38℃ |
| recurring attacks | paronychia recurring |
5. Measures to prevent paronychia
Prevention is better than cure. The following are effective measures to prevent paronychia in children:
| measures | Specific methods |
|---|---|
| Cut nails correctly | Cut into a straight shape and avoid being too short |
| Keep your hands clean | Wash your hands frequently, especially after playing |
| Avoid biting your nails | Correct the bad habit of biting nails |
| Wear appropriate gloves | Wear gloves when doing activities that may hurt your hands |
6. Common ways doctors treat paronychia
The doctor may take the following treatment measures depending on the condition:
| Treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| antibiotic treatment | Oral or topical antibiotics |
| Incision and drainage | Minor surgical drainage for severe suppuration |
| partial nail removal | Severe recurrences may require partial nail removal |
| laser treatment | Some hospitals offer laser treatment options |
7. Common misunderstandings about paronychia
In the process of treating paronychia, parents need to pay attention to avoid the following misunderstandings:
| Misunderstanding | correct answer |
|---|---|
| Digging the abscess yourself | May cause infection to spread and should be treated by a doctor |
| overuse of antibiotics | Follow medical advice and avoid abuse |
| Ignoring early symptoms | Early intervention is more effective |
| Think it will heal on its own | Severe paronychia may worsen if left untreated |
8. Summary
Paronychia is a common finger problem in children, and while it's usually not serious, it can cause discomfort and even complications if not treated promptly. Parents should learn to recognize early symptoms, take appropriate home care measures, and seek prompt medical attention when necessary. With proper nail care and preventive measures, the occurrence of paronychia can be effectively reduced.
Remember: It’s better to be cautious than careless when it comes to your child’s health. If you have any concerns about your child's paronychia condition, it is recommended to consult a professional doctor as soon as possible.
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