Treating panariasis: Interview with Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at «Floreal» Clinic in Lomé

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Extract from the article: Panaris is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues under the skin of a finger, generally around the nail. The infection is caused by bacteria, most often staphylococcus aureus. Panaris most often affects the fingers of the hands and rarely

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«If left untreated, panariasis can develop into an abscess, damage the heart muscle, etc., and lead to death»

Panaris is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues under the skin of a finger, generally around the nail. The infection is caused by bacteria, most often staphylococcus aureus. Panaris most often affects the fingers of the hands and rarely the toes. Who is at risk? How does it manifest itself? What treatment should be adopted? Find out in this interview with Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floreal Clinic in Lomé. 

Health & Education: How does it manifest itself?

Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina: Panicitis manifests itself as redness and tension around the nail on the hand, or more rarely on a toe, accompanied by swelling, a sensation of heat and painful throbbing. Then the pain becomes permanent and pulsating, a rhythmic pain that beats like the pulse.

Who are the people at risk?

The people most at risk are those who do manicures a little too aggressively, who have cuticle trauma, who rip blisters off their fingers or who are victims of insect bites. People suffering from diabetes, alcohol dependence, drug addiction or immune deficiencies such as HIV or diabetes are also at risk.

Certain conditions, such as a damp environment, can favour the development of this bacterium.For example, having your hands constantly soaked in water.

How does it develop?

If left untreated, panicitis can develop into an abscess, a pocket of pus that forms under or around the nail or in the pad of the finger.This can lead to endocarditis, damage to the heart muscle, or septicaemia, a generalised infection that can result in death.The infection can become more complicated and reach the sheaths of the finger muscle tendons, the finger joints or the bones of the hand.

When should I seek medical advice?

You should consult a doctor as soon as you start to feel the symptoms, so that the condition can be treated early to avoid complications.

How do you treat a panic attack?

Wash the finger thoroughly, then apply an antiseptic around the nail, two or three times a day, until the symptoms disappear.Protect the finger with a bandage to prevent the infection from worsening or spreading. If you experience pain, take paracetamol.

If symptoms do not improve after two or three days, consult a healthcare professional. Medicines such as antibiotics or antifungals may be used. It may also be necessary to remove the pus.After examining the finger, the healthcare professional will know the best course of action to take.

What advice do you have for the general public?

Wash your hands regularly, wear gloves when gardening or doing other manual work, clean and disinfect any wounds on your finger immediately, cut your nails regularly and avoid pushing back the cuticles, the small areas of skin at the base of the nail.

Interview by Abel OZIH