Avoid fingertip injury. Your own observation of symptoms. If abscesses present, may require incision and drainage. Bacterial paronychia is curable with treatment in 2 weeks. Fungal paronychia is chronic and may require 6 months to heal.
Recurrence is common with both forms.
Wear heavy-duty vinyl gloves to prevent contact with irritating substances, such as water, soap, detergent, metal scrubbing pads, scouring pads, scouring powder and other chemicals. Dry the insides of gloves after use. Discard gloves if they develop a hole. A glove with a hole harms the hand more than not wearing a glove. Wear gloves when you peel or squeeze lemons, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes or potatoes.