Article Summary
**Pig Gallbladder and Alum for Treating Paronychia!** A kind-hearted netizen (Rao Zhi Rou, QQ: 30180007) shared a folk remedy: Some time ago, my daughter developed paronychia. I initially planned to use one of your remedies, but I couldn’t find a specific herbal ingredient despite visiting every pharmacy in our area. Later, an elderly traditional Chinese medicine practitioner asked me what I was treating, and I explained the situation. He suggested using pig gallbladder if I didn’t mind the mess. He instructed me to cut a small opening in the gallbladder, insert the affected toe, and soak it inside. (I forgot to ask how long it should be soaked, so I had my daughter soak it for half an hour each time.) After a few days, the pain disappeared. Although my daughter didn’t continue soaking, she recovered completely within a few days. **Contributor: Teacher Zhang (Verified Remedy)** Take a fresh pig gallbladder, pour out most of the bile, then place it over the finger affected by paronychia. Secure it with adhesive tape to prevent the bile from leaking. The pain will subside within half an hour. Generally, replace the gallbladder every 3 days, and the swelling should reduce within 6 days. **Verified Remedy: Alum (Mingfan)** Grind an appropriate amount of alum into a fine powder. If the area has already developed pus, disinfect it with alcohol first, then sprinkle the powder on the affected area. Typically, 1–3 applications will cure the condition. If there is only swelling and pain, mix 1 part alum with 2 parts cold boiled water, dissolve it, and apply the solution to the affected area. Cover it with adhesive tape and change the dressing 3 times a day. The condition should heal within 3 days. (Alum, also known as Mingfan, is available at traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies.)
