My four year old has started picking at his cuticles, and in the last two days four of his fingers have gotten infected around the nail bed - they’re swollen and shiny and a few of them have a small section at the edge that’s yellowish-white. I’ve googled and it seems to be paronychia, and fairly common, but I’m still wondering if I should take him to a doctor. We’ve been soaking them in water a few times a day, and then putting some polysporin and bandaids on them. He sometimes says they hurt but other times says no. They don’t feel hot to the touch. Anybody experienced this? Should I give it a few more days to clear up? I’m sure I’ve had this happen to me before but his look more swollen than I remember mine ever getting - on the other hand his fingers are so tiny. I just really don’t want to subject both of us to a 90 minute wait at the walk-in if I don’t have to.
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@erinbaderin: I don’t know what you SHOULD do, but if it was me I would wait until tomorrow. If it’s just as red or there is more of the whitish yellow stuff, I’d call the pediatrician and see if they want you to come in. I don’t think I would bother with a walk in clinic- I feel like they are better for straight forward things like ear infections.
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I'd try bactine before going to a walk in. Bactine for me works way better than polysporine
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Yes Bacitracin worked way better than other ointments wrapped in bandaids.
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This happened to DD and it was very swollen and red and yellow puss - ugh - took her to the Dr and they put her on antibiotics
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@erinbaderin: Definitely take your LO in. Ingrown nails/infections don't just happen to toes, and when left untreated can have pretty tragic consequences. Don't wait - time is not your friend in this situation.
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@pwnstar: I’m reasonably certain it isn’t ingrown nails (the pictures I had to look at to come to this conclusion are going to haunt me) but I’ve also discovered that the only over the counter antibiotic cream in Canada is polysporin so I’m going to give it one more day and then I guess take him in if it isn’t improving.
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@erinbaderin: On second thought, nevermind!
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Just to close the loop on this, when I picked him up today they didn’t seem any better and his teacher seemed concerned so I took him to the walk in and they gave him oral antibiotics! Also some dire warnings about how if he keeps doing this and they get worse they’ll have to use a knife and cut his fingers to which I was like “JFC he’s four, do we need to scare him?”
Anyway, hopefully that will help soon.
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@erinbaderin: I was going to say I’ve had this and when I lance them and squeeze the pus out it clears up immediately. Hurts like a bitch though and would never do it to my kids
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My little brother had this at age 3/4 and had to go on antibiotics. He used to suck on and bite his fingers and it was on nearly all the fingers. I think it was only bad enough for antibiotics once and then he just grew out of it.
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@erinbaderin: Jesus that’s extreme, no? Wow.
I used to get these alllll of the time. No long term effects, except I did become a habitual nail-biter well into my mid twenties.
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@Littlebit7: Do you mean oral antibiotics for a finger infection or threatening a four year old with knives?
Either way, I agree with you, I was definitely expecting a stronger antibiotic cream and not oral meds.@mrsgoose: this is good to know, thank you! B also sucks on his fingers, but weirdly those ones didn’t get infected - I think because he picks at the ones around them while they’re safely in his mouth.
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@erinbaderin: haha yes surprised on both fronts!!
Either way, I agree with you, I was definitely expecting a stronger antibiotic cream and not oral meds.
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