Paronychia is a common skin infection that occurs around the nail. It can lead to discomfort, swelling, redness, and the formation of pus. Nail infections can be caused by bacteria or fungi, and they can affect both fingernails and toenails. Paronychia can manifest as either acute, lasting for a few days, or chronic, lasting for several weeks or months. If paronychia is not treated, it can result in complications such as cellulitis, nail deformity, or nail loss.
Paronychia patients may be curious about how to get the best care for their disease. Consider Direct Primary Care (DPC), a type of healthcare that lets people talk to their primary care provider directly, without having to go through a third party or insurance company.
Your primary care provider will charge you a membership fee every month or yearly. In exchange, you can use all of their services, including visits, checkups, care management, and some lab tests, as much as you want. Additionally, your visits with your provider will be longer and more tailored to your needs. They will have more time to talk to you about your issues and wants.
DPC has many benefits for patients with paronychia, such as:
Access to care is made faster and simpler with the ability to schedule same-day or next-day appointments with your physician at any time by phone, email, or video chat. You may avoid the inconvenience of insurance authorization and copays, as well as the weeks or months of waiting to visit your provider. This implies that your paronychia may be diagnosed and treated quickly, keeping it from worsening or spreading to other areas of your body.
Your DPC membership takes care of most of your primary care requirements for a set cost. Not having to worry about deductibles, coinsurance, or unexpected expenditures is a relief. Reduced costs on imaging, specialist treatment, and drugs are also available to you. For people with chronic or recurring paronychia, who need to see the doctor often or get medicines, this can be a lifesaver financially.
You can establish a lasting relationship with your physician, who is well-versed in your medical history. If necessary, your provider can coordinate your treatment with other experts or facilities to ensure that you receive the best possible care for your paronychia and any other health conditions you may have. You also receive more individualized and comprehensive care, since your provider may address not just your medical symptoms, but also your emotional and social requirements, as well as assist you change your lifestyle and avoid recurring infections.
If you join a DPC practice, your provider will work with you to create a personalized plan for managing your paronychia, based on your specific situation and preferences. Your plan may include some or all of the following elements:
In order to diagnose the infection and its severity, your physician will look at your afflicted nail and the area around it. To further narrow down the potential bacterial or fungal culprits, they may extract pus or nail samples for laboratory analysis. Your physician will then advise you on the proper use of any prescribed medicine, including antibiotics and antifungals, based on the results. For more extensive operations like nail removal, they may also recommend a dermatologist or surgeon or drain pus from your nail.
Additional information on home treatment for paronychia and how to avoid worsening or recurrence of the condition will be provided by your provider. For alleviation of pain and swelling, they could suggest trying some at-home therapies, such soaking your nail in warm water or using a mixture of lemon and salt. They will also show you how to avoid harming your nails or cuticle in the future by keeping them dry and clean and by not biting, picking, or cutting them. Along with that, they will stress the need of not getting your hands dirty and to always wear gloves while working with chemicals, water, or detergents.
Regular phone, email, or video chat follow-ups from your provider will allow them to assess your progress and address any concerns you might have. Until your paronychia completely heals, they will closely observe your condition and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Additionally, they will assist you in avoiding paronychia in the future by teaching you how to properly care for your nails and educating you on the symptoms and risk factors of the illness.
When it comes to paronychia management, DPC can provide you with several benefits. Joining a DPC practice can improve your connection with your physician, as well as providing you with faster, easier, cheaper, and higher-quality care for your condition.
As the famous quote by Hippocrates says,
“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”
