Going home after your visit
Infected nail fold (paronychia)
How to care for an infected skin fold beside a finger or toe nail, and when to get more help.
You have paronychia — an infection of the skin fold beside a finger or toe nail. It makes the area red, swollen and sore. Mild ones often settle on their own. Sometimes a small amount of pus needs releasing to help it heal.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to A&E or an urgent treatment centre — or call 999 if you are very unwell — if any of these happen
These can be signs the infection is spreading deeper or into your blood.
- Redness, swelling, pain or pus that is increasing or spreading
- A red streak spreading from the finger or toe towards your hand or body
- A high temperature, shivering, or you feel generally unwell
- Pain that is far worse than the area looks, or the finger becomes numb
- The whole finger swells, or it hurts a lot when you try to straighten it
- It is not improving after a few days of treatment
- You have diabetes or a weak immune system and it is getting worse
CALL 999 Call 999 if you feel very unwell or the redness is spreading quickly.
Caring for it
- Soak the finger or toe in warm, salty water for about 10 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
- Keep it clean and dry the rest of the time.
- Take the full course of any antibiotics you were given.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if you can take them.
- Do not bite your nails or pick at the skin.
- If a dressing was put on after releasing pus, keep it as advised.
What to expect
With treatment, an infected nail fold usually settles. Over the next few days you should notice:
Redness easingLess swelling and painPus draining then stoppingHealing over several days
It usually improves within a week — see your GP if it does not.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a severe breathing or circulation problem
ED / urgent service
A warning sign above that needs same-day reassessment
111
Urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, or you are unsure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team / GP
Use the number and follow-up plan in Your care details above