Acute, life-threatening symptoms? Call 144 directly.
Condition
Nail fold infection: assessment and care
- redness, swelling and tenderness at the nail fold
- warmth at the site
- a visible collection of pus beside or under the nail
- with an ingrowing nail: pain along the side of the nail
Orientation
How urgent is it?
When in doubt, always choose the higher level.
Assessment and treatment on site. You are welcome without an appointment, too.
Book an appointmentor simply walk in
- redness spreading into the finger, hand or foot
- a red streak running towards the body
- fever
- marked swelling or restricted movement
- diabetes, a circulatory problem or a weakened immune system
- involvement of a joint or a tendon sheath
If your symptoms are acute and life-threatening, call 144. aprioris is not an emergency department.
Overview
What you should know
A red, swollen and painful nail fold.
A nail fold infection often follows a small injury at the edge of the nail, from a torn cuticle, a manicure or an ingrowing nail. It usually stays localised, but it can spread.
One address for your concern
Book an appointment or come by during opening hours. And if you are unsure whether we are the right address: come anyway; we will work it out with you.
Symptoms
Typical signs
Typical signs
- redness, swelling and tenderness at the nail fold
- warmth at the site
- a visible collection of pus beside or under the nail
- with an ingrowing nail: pain along the side of the nail
What happens
What happens at aprioris
Our aim: to resolve your concern directly on site. Assessment, treatment and, where needed, a prescription or certificate. If specialist care is needed, we refer you on.
We assess the infection, treat it and plan the follow-up. An extensive soft-tissue infection, involvement of a joint or tendon sheath, or a swollen hand belongs in surgical hands; those cases we refer on according to urgency and with a report.
Every case is reviewed and signed off by a physician, either during your visit or shortly after. Anything that needs specialist care, we refer on, prioritised by urgency and with a written report. aprioris does not dispense medication itself.
Treatment
Treatment overview
What you can do yourself
- keep the area clean and dry
- do not lance or squeeze it yourself
- go easy on the finger
- watch whether it spreads
Services
Related services
Locations
Where we treat this
Available at 10 locations, with an appointment or as a walk-in.
AmriswilBadenBern ChristoffelHerisauLucerne NeustadtWinterthur MarktgasseZurich AlbisriederplatzZurich LimmatplatzZurich MorgentalZurich Paradeplatz
Booking
Book an appointment online
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment for this?
Not necessarily. You are welcome without booking during opening hours. If you book an appointment, you are seen at the agreed time. You can book online or by calling the practice.
What does the assessment cost?
aprioris is a medical practice licensed by the canton. Services covered by mandatory health insurance are billed accordingly. Your deductible and co-payment apply, as in any medical practice. Preventive services are paid for privately; prices are shown with each service.
What should I bring?
Your health insurance card. If you take medication, a current medication list or the packaging helps. For anything to do with vaccination, please bring your vaccination record.
When should I go straight to emergency care?
Spreading redness, a red streak running towards the body, fever, or a swollen hand you can barely move: have that assessed immediately.