Everyday habit made her finger 'triple in size'—Aussies are being warned to stop immediately!
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As we age, we often develop habits that seem harmless enough—a little nail-biting here, a bit of skin-picking there.
But what if I told you these seemingly innocuous behaviours could lead to a trip to the emergency room?
That's precisely what happened to Gabi Amoils, a 23-year-old from Sydney, who found herself in a painful and alarming situation due to a common habit many of us share.
Gabi's ordeal began on what she describes as a slightly dull date.
She started picking at the skin beside her fingernail to distract herself, a habit she'd mindlessly indulged in for years.
Little did she know, this absent-minded action would soon cause her finger to swell to three times its standard size.
Gabi recounted how her finger's condition deteriorated rapidly.
'My finger just got worse and worse. It was actually becoming quite debilitating...and so painful,' she said.
The swelling was so severe that she likened it to carrying a 'big fat rotten tomato' on her hand.
The visual was completed by a whitehead and redness, making it look like an oversized pimple.
Despite an initial round of antibiotics prescribed by her GP, the swelling and pain persisted, prompting a return visit to the doctor.
This time, she was immediately referred to the emergency room, where doctors drained 'two millilitres worth of pus' from her inflamed finger.
The diagnosis is Paronychia, an infection that occurs when bacteria enter through broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold.
While it typically heals within 5 to 10 days, Gabi's experience is a stark reminder of how quickly things can escalate if left untreated.
After her treatment, Gabi had to trim excess skin from her finger, which the swelling had stretched.
But the consequences of paronychia can be far more severe than a swollen digit.
If not addressed promptly, the infection can cause long-term damage to the nail and, in rare cases, lead to a bone infection.
Gabi's story isn't an isolated incident, either. In the US, one woman narrowly avoided amputation due to a severe case of paronychia caused by nail biting.
Closer to home, a woman from the NSW Central Coast required surgery after contracting the infection at a nail salon in 2020.
Gabi's message to others is simple and urgent: 'Just don't do it!'
She implored everyone to avoid nail picking and to seek medical attention immediately if they notice any signs of infection.
'Do not pick your nails. And if you do, go to the doctor right away! Don't leave it like I did.'
At the Seniors Discount Club, we care about the health and well-being of our members.
We urge you to take Gabi's warning seriously. It's easy to dismiss small habits as trivial, but as we've seen, the consequences can be anything but.
Keep an eye on your fingers, and if you notice any redness, swelling, or pain around your nails, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
Credit: TikTok
Have you or someone you know ever experienced a similar situation? Do you have tips for breaking the habit of nail picking? Share your stories and advice in the comments below.
But what if I told you these seemingly innocuous behaviours could lead to a trip to the emergency room?
That's precisely what happened to Gabi Amoils, a 23-year-old from Sydney, who found herself in a painful and alarming situation due to a common habit many of us share.
Gabi's ordeal began on what she describes as a slightly dull date.
She started picking at the skin beside her fingernail to distract herself, a habit she'd mindlessly indulged in for years.
Little did she know, this absent-minded action would soon cause her finger to swell to three times its standard size.
A Sydney woman was hospitalized after a severe infection from skin picking. Credit: @maccyandcheese / TikTok
Gabi recounted how her finger's condition deteriorated rapidly.
'My finger just got worse and worse. It was actually becoming quite debilitating...and so painful,' she said.
The swelling was so severe that she likened it to carrying a 'big fat rotten tomato' on her hand.
The visual was completed by a whitehead and redness, making it look like an oversized pimple.
Despite an initial round of antibiotics prescribed by her GP, the swelling and pain persisted, prompting a return visit to the doctor.
This time, she was immediately referred to the emergency room, where doctors drained 'two millilitres worth of pus' from her inflamed finger.
The diagnosis is Paronychia, an infection that occurs when bacteria enter through broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold.
While it typically heals within 5 to 10 days, Gabi's experience is a stark reminder of how quickly things can escalate if left untreated.
After her treatment, Gabi had to trim excess skin from her finger, which the swelling had stretched.
But the consequences of paronychia can be far more severe than a swollen digit.
If not addressed promptly, the infection can cause long-term damage to the nail and, in rare cases, lead to a bone infection.
Gabi's story isn't an isolated incident, either. In the US, one woman narrowly avoided amputation due to a severe case of paronychia caused by nail biting.
Closer to home, a woman from the NSW Central Coast required surgery after contracting the infection at a nail salon in 2020.
Gabi's message to others is simple and urgent: 'Just don't do it!'
She implored everyone to avoid nail picking and to seek medical attention immediately if they notice any signs of infection.
'Do not pick your nails. And if you do, go to the doctor right away! Don't leave it like I did.'
At the Seniors Discount Club, we care about the health and well-being of our members.
We urge you to take Gabi's warning seriously. It's easy to dismiss small habits as trivial, but as we've seen, the consequences can be anything but.
Keep an eye on your fingers, and if you notice any redness, swelling, or pain around your nails, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
Credit: TikTok
Have you or someone you know ever experienced a similar situation? Do you have tips for breaking the habit of nail picking? Share your stories and advice in the comments below.
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