What is Paronychia?-Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Ayuredic Treatment
Abstract
Paronychia is a nail fold infection. It affects both fingernails and toenails. This condition is commonly found and mostly occurs in women as compared to men having Ratio of 3:1. It usually occurs in the middle and index finger nails. Paronychia can happen to anyone at any stage of life and is easily treatable. Let’s discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this condition in modern as well as ayurvedic aspects.
Introduction
Paronychia is an inflamed skin that originates below the eponychium (cuticle). It is a thickened layer of skin surrounding the fingernails and toenails. It protects the area between the epidermis and nails from bacteria. It is of two types- Acute and Chronic
1. Acute Paronychia
It is for short duration for like 1 week to 6 weeks. Acute paronychia is usually caused due to trauma to the nail or with small events such as nail biting, dishwashing, ingrown hair and also with infection.
2. Chronic Paronychia
The duration of chronic paronychia is more than 6 weeks. In this the condition either does not get better or occurs again and again. It can be due to infection or any other causes mentioned here.
Sign and Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Pus
- Abscess formation
- Redness
- Altered texture
- Detached nail
Causes
- Trauma
- Irritation
- Bacterial infection
- Fungal infection
- Ingrown nails
- Nail biting
- Frequent manicure and pedicures
- Finger sucking
Diagnosis
- Medical history
- Physical examination of the nail
- Biopsy (A sample is taken for examination in severe cases)
- In severe cases X-Ray to rule out the involvement of bone
Management as Per Modern
- Hot water soak – Soak the affected part in hot water for sometime over a few times a day.
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Anti Inflammatory
- I & D (Incision and Drainage): In pus formation
- If pus has spread down the nail then the nail should be excised to drain the pus.
As Per Ayurvedic Overview
Ayurveda is a natural healing science which has a unique approach towards holistic healing. It examines with the help of Trividha pariksha, dashavidha Pariksha and manages with the help of herbal remedies, yoga, and diet.
The ayurvedic approach of paronychia : In ayurveda it is classified under twak vikara and known as chippa roga. It is situated in nails and nail skin have vata and pitta dosha predominance. Due to this dosha predominance it shows symptoms like pain, burning sensation, and abscess formation. It is also called upnakha or kshat roga.
Diagnosis : With the help of Trividha Pariksha
- DARSHANA (Direct perception)
- SPARSHANA (Touch perception)
- PRASHANA (Questioning)
Management
Diet – Intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid any pitta vardhak ahara (Foods which increase pitta dosha) such as spicy, oily, heavy food and carbonated drinks.
Treatment Procedure
- Firstly the affected part should be irrigated (hot water irrigation) then the affected part is scraped with the help of shastra (Lekhana karma).
- Then Rakta mokshana (Purificatory measure) should be done and after that CHAKRA TAILA is to be applied as abhyanga.
- Pratisaran is done with the help of sarja kshara and binds it with cloth.
Samana Therapy (Herbal remedies): Ayurveda has various herbs which acts as analgesics, anti inflammatory, antifungal and antibiotic properties such as khadira, Haridra Khand, Nimba, Manjishtha, Guggulu etc.
Khadira (Acacia catechu)– khadira is an ancient ayurvedic herb which is considered under kushtaghna gana, hence it is a very useful herb in twak vikara. It has antibacterial, antifungal properties. It is used in all types of skin conditions.
Nimba (Azadirachta indica)– Nimba is an excellent herb for treating skin disorders. It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal properties. It treats skin issues, wounds, increases immunity and also nourishes skin.
Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia)– Manjishtha is an ayurvedic herb which is useful in all types Skin disorders. It is considered as Varnya in ayurveda which means to enhance complexion. It acts as a natural blood purifier and balances pitta dosha. It also acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul) – Guggulu is an ancient ayurvedic herb which possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties. It subsides pain and inflammation also works in all types of skin disorders such as acne, Psoriasis etc.
Haridra Khand– It is an ancient ayurvedic medicine which is in the form of granules. It is used in all types of skin disorders and allergies. It is also very useful in blisters and fungal infections.
Herbal Remedies of Paronychia by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is an ayurvedic company which deals with holistic healing with the help of an ancient science of ayurveda. They heal with the help of herbal remedies and diet. They have their own manufacturing unit which is GMP and ISO certified. The products manufactured here are 100% safe, natural and pure and also manufactured in various forms such as tablets, capsules, powder, teas as well as the cosmetics. Planet Ayurveda is serving for more than 20 years and is experienced in all chronic diseases. The following are the herbal medications which can treat this condition
- Kaishore guggul
- Septrin tablet
- Topical application of Dashang lepa by mixing Kustha Rakshas Tel and jatyadi oil.
Product Description
1. Kaishore Guggul
Kaishore guggul is a classic ayurvedic medicine manufactured by Planet Ayurveda in tablet form. It contains Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) etc. It is useful in skin disorders, reduces inflammation and pain, Increases immunity and treats wounds.
Dosage – Take two tablets twice a day.
2. Septrin Tablets
These are the patent ayurvedic formulation by planet ayurveda in tablet form which includes Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Maricha (Piper nigrum) etc herbs. It balances all the three doshas of the body, and supports a healthy digestive and respiratory system. Increases immunity, acts as anti inflammatory, antibiotic and useful for skin disorders.
Dosage – Take 2 tablets twice a day
3. Topical Application
Dashang lepa is made up of ten ayurvedic herbs such as Haridra(Curcuma longa), kushta (Saussurea lappa), Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck) etc. which are very useful in skin disorders.
Jatyadi oil – It is an classical ayurvedic preparation which includes Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Neem (Azadirachta indica) etc. This oil is useful in healing wounds, blisters, abscess and others skin conditions.
Kustha Rakshas Tel – This is a therapeutic oil which includes Kushta (Saussurea lappa), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Rasona (Allium sativum), Aragwadha (Cassia fistula), Shuddha parad (Purified mercury) etc. It is referenced from Bhaishajya Ratnavali and is useful in skin conditions.
Method – Apply Dashang lepa by mixing Kushta rakshasa oil and jatyadi oil over the affected area twice daily.
Conclusion
Paronychia is an infection in the tissue adjacent to nails. It can be caused by trauma, irritation, infection and other above mentioned causes. This condition is easily treatable. According to ayurveda it is known as chippa roga which can be treated by raktamokshana, lekhana karma, abhyanga etc. as well as by herbal remedies which you can easily find at www.planetayurveda.com
