Natural Treatment Of Acute Paronychia
People in daily life mostly hurt their fingers and it is quite common because hands are the mostly used limbs in the human body. So, there is always a higher risk of bacterial and fungal infections in our hands, fingers, and nails. Paronychia is one of them.
Paronychia is a common problem of the skin which is characterized by infection of the skin around the fingernails and toenails. The cause of paronychia is a yeast infection called Candida or bacteria. Together they may produce this condition.
This infection may come on slowly and last for weeks or it can occur suddenly and last for only one or two days. This infection can be easily and successfully treated with little or no damage to the skin and nails.
What is Acute Paronychia?
An acute infection always occurs around the fingernails and develops quickly. The cause of acute paronychia is the damage to the skin around the nails from biting, manicures, hangnails, washing of utensils, minor injury from a thorn, ingrown nail or other kinds of physical trauma. The common cause of acute paronychia is a minor injury. which is further infected by bacteria such as Enterococcus or Staphylococcus.
- It is the most common hand infection which occurs in the subcuticular area under the eponychium.
- In acute paronychia, the suppuration occurs very rapidly. It tracks around the skin margin and spreads under the nail causing hangnail or floating nail.
What are the Symptoms of Acute Paronychia?
The acute infection develops quickly and doesn’t last long.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Paronychia are
- Redness of the skin around the nails
- Pus-filled blisters
- Severe throbbing and tenderness of the skin with visible pus under the nail root.
- Changes in the shape, color or texture of the nail.
- The detachment of the nail.
- Nail on touch is very tender. (The word Paronychia means “run around”)
What are the Common Causative factors of Acute Paronychia?
- Contact of chemicals
- Improper trimming of the cuticles or nail bed
- Nail biting
- Finger sucking
- Repeated exposure to extreme cold
- In some people, this condition becomes more frequent and chronic. Diabetic patients and patients with chronic debility suffer more due to acute paronychia.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A physician will diagnose it by physical examination as several skin conditions cause changes that mimic the paronychia. Gram’s staining test helps in diagnosing the type of bacterial invasion and infection.
The pus so formed is sent to the laboratory for culture and sensitivity test.
Modern treatment for acute paronychia includes the prescription of antibiotics, antifungal or penicillin.
This condition can be easily treated with Ayurveda as Ayurveda suggests various herbs which act as a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal. anti-bacterial.
If the treatment of acute paronychia is delayed, then the infection can extend into eponychium and named as eponychia.
Acute Paronychia as per Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, it is considered as a Pitta dominant condition.
According to Ayurveda, paronychia is referred to as Kunakha. The word Ku means bad and Nakha refers to a nail. It is considered as a bad condition of the nails which is caused due to unhygienic conditions. ‘Unhygienic’ relates to the infection of the nail bed and hence acute paronychia is manifested.
An ayurvedic line of treatment depends on the causative factor which should be checked immediately. The treatment is focused on to pacify Pitta dosha by prescribing anti-inflammatory, antiseptic medicaments.
What are the Herbal Remedies offered by Planet Ayurveda for the Treatment of Acute Paronychia?
Planet Ayurveda offers herbal remedies that have certifications of authenticity and all the products have standardized herbal formulas. The products of Planet Ayurveda are pure herbal extracts which are tested for purity and consistency.
Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda for Acute Paronychia are:
- Gandhak Rasayan
- Kaishore Guggul
- Jatyadhi Oil mixed with Neem Oil (for external application)
1. Gandhak Rasayan
Gandhak Rasayana is a classical Ayurvedic preparation which has the sulphur processed with herbal juice as the main ingredient. It has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antipruritics, anti-viral properties. Gandhak Rasayan has broad spectrum anti-biotic properties therefore useful in infections of skin and hair. Therefore, these tablets are quite effective in acute paronychia.
Dose: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
2. Kaishore Guggul
Kaishore Guggul is a classical Ayurvedic medicine useful in the skin disorders as it contains natural blood purifying herbs such as Triphala and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). These tablets help in the vitiation of Pitta dosha therefore useful in conditions such as inflammation, persistent pain, redness and infections of the skin. These tablets are quite effective in the treatment of acute paronychia.
Dose: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. Jatyadi Oil mixed with Neem Oil
Jatyadi Oil: Jatyadi Oil is an herbal preparation used for external application. This oil is applied externally for quick wound healing, non-healing wounds, blisters, skin diseases such as hand and foot mouth disease, acute paronychia, syphilis, etc.
Neem Oil: The use of neem originated in ancient India where Neem tree (Azadirachtaindica) is deeply revered as one of the most versatile medicinal plants. Neem has potent anti-microbial phytochemicals and therefore it is considered as an anti-microbial agent. It helps to cleanse and heal wounds quickly. Neem oil is used as an external application for numerous skin diseases.
How to use: Take 2-3 drops of jatyadi oil and neem oil and apply on the affected area.
Some of the Home Remedies for Acute Paronychia are
- Turmeric: In acute paronychia, take a clean cloth and soak it in warm water that is mixed with turmeric powder. Tie this cloth on the infected nail bud. Change this cloth around 3-4 times in a day.
- Flattened Rice or Beaten Rice: Take some flattened rice (poha) and add a pinch of pepper and turmeric powder. Apply this on the nail bed and wrap with a clean cloth for one day. This helps in reducing pain and swelling associated with acute paronychia.
