The inflamed nail usually occurs when the nail is ingrown, causing pain, swelling and redness. If not properly treated, it can become infected, accumulating pus on the affected finger.
The inflamed nail can also be caused by falling an object over the fingers, a bad habit of cutting the nail corners, the use of tight shoes and fungal or bacterial infections.
To treat the inflamed nail, you should cut the tip of the nail that is causing the inflammation with a sterilized scissors, apply local analgesics to relieve the pain, and in the most serious cases perform a surgery to extract the nail.
Swollen nail remedy
The recommended remedy to relieve the symptoms caused by the inflamed nail is the application of antibiotic creams or ointments and corticosteroids, use of oral antibiotics if necessary, and constant cleaning with antiseptic and healing solutions.
How to take care of swollen nail
The basic care of the inflamed nail goes through the prevention of its occurrence and are the following:
- Prevent fingernails from jamming: always cut them straight, never through the corners, always keeping the tips free;
- Remove only the excess of the cuticle;
- Avoid the use of tight shoes and fine spikes;
- Use local emollients and anesthetics to reduce discomfort.
In more severe cases, with pus and sponge bags in place, it is preferable to seek a dermatologist so that the inflamed tissues are removed appropriately without further complications. The procedures that can be performed are described below:
- Elevate the edge of the nail with a spatula, away from inflamed skin with a cotton swab;
- Elimination of the nail tip that is causing the inflammation, using sterilized scissors;
- Drainage of local swelling, when present;
- Healing with antibiotic-based creams;
- Use of oral antibiotics, especially in cases of secondary infections.
To treat the inflamed nail more definitely, surgery can also be performed to destroy the nail matrix or to extract it completely, but only in the last case, because when the nail grows again, it can get stuck again.
