I. Definition
The finger (toe) nail, except for the free edge, is connected to the skin folds on all three sides, and the connection forms a groove called the nail groove. Nail furrow infection is an infection that occurs in the nail furrow. In Chinese medicine, it is called “snake-eye furuncle” or “furuncle along the claw”, which is mostly caused by traumatic infection of the fingers and toes or by the accumulation of fire and poison. Most of the infections are caused by minor injuries, such as pulling barbs and improper manicures.
Etiology
Nail infections are caused by stab wounds, abrasions, ingrown nails or plucking of “barbs” in the nail grooves and nearby tissues. In addition, some children patients, often have the habit of biting their nails, will also bring the oral bacteria into the grooves of the nail side, choose too tight shoes that do not fit the foot, but also the meat will be pressed tightly to the toenail, repeated friction caused by the wound and infection. The causative bacteria is mainly Staphylococcus aureus.
Three, treatment
1.Treatment methods.
Early treatment with hot compresses, physiotherapy, topical drugs, etc. Once pus appears, surgery must be performed.
2, drug treatment.
Oral antibiotics, external application of ichthyolite ointment, mupirocin ointment, polymyxin B ointment, iodophor solution, etc.
3.Surgical treatment.
(1) If there is pus, longitudinal incision and drainage can be made in the nail groove. If pus has accumulated under the nail bed, the nail should be removed, or the half nail on the pus cavity should be cut off. If there is an ingrown nail, consider treating the nail root growth layer and removing part of the nail mass to completely eradicate the ingrown nail.
(2) Other treatments.
Local irradiation with helium-neon laser and semiconductor laser also helps to eliminate inflammation and tissue repair.
IV. Prognosis.
The prognosis for most nail infections is good, and most patients can be cured with regular treatment.
Preventive care
1, the nail should not be cut too short, preferably into a square nail, to prevent the nail without the protection of the surrounding tissue and upward growth; not to use the hand to remove the “barbs” at will, but to sterilize and cut with scissors.
2, maintain hand and foot hygiene, pay attention to protect the soft tissues around the nails of the hands and feet to prevent injury and infection, such as daily life easy to pierce the nail groove caused by infection of foreign objects, such as wood spikes, bamboo spikes, fish bone spikes, etc., to be extra careful.
3, pay attention to the maintenance of the finger, after washing hands, before going to bed, rub some Vaseline or skin cream to enhance the skin around the nail groove resistance to disease.
4, once the finger has a small injury, available iodine disinfection, avoid getting wet, to prevent infection.
5, wear shoes to choose the right size fat thin shoes is the key to prevent nail infection.
Sixth, precautions
The result is that the condition not only does not improve, but also worsens, and may not heal for a long time, becoming chronic nail infection, which can develop into purulent dactylitis and even cause finger/toe osteomyelitis. The actual nail is a very important part of the nail, so it’s best to go to a regular hospital if you don’t have any experience with treatment.