Just because the expression “tough as nails” exists doesn’t mean that you could go ahead and be as rough with your nails as you like. Matter of fact is your nails are not impervious to getting injured or damaged, and one clear proof of this is at times they can become infected and develop pus under them.
This article will discuss some very effective home remedies for fingernail pus.
Make sure that you repost this article on your various social media sites to inform your family and friends, in particular those who engage in lots of manual labor, to know how to deal with having pus under the fingernails.
But before we enumerate those, let us first tackle the reason why fingernail pus strikes.
Where there is pus, there is an infection. Yup, the reason behind the presence of pus under the fingernails is an infection. Such can be due to accidentally hitting your nails against or with a hard object, such as a hammer. It can also be due to chipping or cracking your nails, or exposing them to harsh chemicals such as when doing household chores.
You can tell that there is pus under a fingernail if the nail appears yellowish or greenish. What’s more, it may be painful when touched, and also the surrounding area may look red and feel warm.
Now let’s discuss some of the things that you may do if there’s pus under one of your nails:
Lemon Juice
On a daily basis, apply freshly squeezed lemon juice on and around the affected fingernail. Lemon juice has antimicrobial properties that can help put the ongoing infection to an end.
Do take note that you may experience some stinging if the cause of the fingernail pus is a cut or scratch.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Just like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar is very effective at controlling an infection. That is why it’s a very popular home remedy for pus under the fingernails. All you need to do is combine 1 part apple cider vinegar and 2 parts water in a small bowl. Soak the affected fingernail in it for 15 minutes. Do this up to 3 times per day.
You may also feel a stinging sensation for the first few seconds, though.
Yogurt
If putting up with some stinging is not your thing, then you may simply count on a little yogurt. The good bacteria present in this healthy treat are capable of fighting off bad bacteria causing havoc to the affected fingernail.
Make sure that you apply plain yogurt, the kind that is free of artificial ingredients and more importantly sugar. Otherwise, you will only provide those bad bacteria with something they love: sugar
Aloe Vera gel
One more sting-free home remedy for pus under the fingernails is the application of aloe vera gel regularly.
The best aloe vera gel for the job is the kind that is freshly harvested from an aloe vera leaf. Feel free to use aloe vera gel that comes in a tube, although make sure that it is 100 percent pure and devoid of unnecessary chemicals.
Tea Tree Oil
Having a bottle of tea tree oil in the medicine cabinet is a wonderful idea because it is an excellent home remedy for all sorts of infections, and that includes something that involves the fingernails. Because it’s so powerful, tea tree oil has to be diluted with lots of water prior to soaking the affected fingernail in it for about 15 minutes.
Some people swear that diluting tea tree oil with coconut oil can deliver much faster results.
Protect the Fingernail
Last but not least, make sure that you keep the affected fingernail out of harm’s way while it is healing. One thing that you may do to have it safeguarded is wear rubber or latex gloves when doing some housework.
See to it that you seek the help of a doctor if the infection seems to be worsening.
