[DoomaYula]

I cut one of my twins' fingernails too short and now he has an infection around his entire nail. The top of his finger is all red and swollen, and there's crusty yellow stuff all around the nail itself. Dh wants me to take him to urgent care but I really want to avoid abx. Suggestions?

 

[MissRubyandKen]

I always do salt soaks for things that are looking infected. Once one of my toenails was infected and I had a red line going up to my ankle. I thought I'd have to go in for sure. Did several salt soaks that evening, next morning it was gone. Just be sure to keep a very close eye on it no matter what you decide, watch for fever or any other symptoms of worsening infection.

 

[Theoretica]

Definitely soak...

Try epsom salts, or just some warm water with a pinch of salt, you could soak the finger in peppermint tea, or water with a drop of NON anti bacterial liquid soap.

After soaking for 15 minutes or so, try putting some calendula salve on it (if you have some), some goldenseal (again, if you have it) or if you don't have either, let it air dry and resoak every couple of hours.

HTH!

 

[KMK_Mama]

My son has had this a few times from biting his nails. I popped it with a sterilized needle and squeezed the pus out (it was painful) and then I soaked it in hydrogen peroxide. It healed up just fine both times.