Common Nail Disorders and Treatments

Nail disorders are more common than people know. In fact, most people don't even know when they have one. If you can spot a nail disorder when you see one, however, you can not only treat the issue, but keep your nails strong, healthy and beautiful.
Ingrown NailsIngrown nails are one of the most common nail disorders.  This condition develops when pieces of the nail penetrate the nail bed. The result is an area often red in color, especially near the nail's edge, and painful. The nail disorder generally occurs because a person neglected nail care, picked at his nails or wore shoes that were too tight. Once the ingrown nail eventually grows out, you should cut the nail straight across. To treat the condition, it helps to soak the nail, lift it, and then place a piece of cotton under it. If the situation is advanced, then a doctor can inject the nail bed with anesthetic, trim the nail and remove it from the area.

ParonychiaAnother common nail disorder is paronychia. You may not know this issue by its name, but you probably know its symptoms: swelling around the nail bed accompanied by pain. This condition generally happens because of chronic moisture, often caused by thumb sucking, or because the individual either picked at the skin or dropped something on the finger. If left untreated, the area can become warm and start to pus. The infection is generally caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. One of the first thing you should do is soak the finger in warm water so that the infected area can drain. If the condition worsens, a doctor will need to create an incision in the area so that it can drain; this may then be followed additional incisions.
Subungal HematomaIf you have ever jammed your finger in a car door or had it hit some other way, then you have probably experienced a subungal hematoma. You'll know if you have this condition because blood will pool under the nail and the area will throb. The best way to treat this condition is to pierce a hole in the middle of the nail using something like a paperclip. After the hole has been made, blood should appear. Next, the person should soak the finger in warm water so that it can fully drain.
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