Paronychia: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Paronychia
| image          = [[File:Paronychia.jpg|left|thumb|Paronychia affecting the finger]]
| caption        = Paronychia affecting the finger
| field          = [[Dermatology]]
| synonyms        = Perionychia, Whitlow
| symptoms        = [[Redness]], [[swelling]], [[pain]] around the [[nail]]
| complications  = [[Abscess]], [[cellulitis]]
| onset          = Rapid (acute) or gradual (chronic)
| duration        = Acute: days to weeks; Chronic: weeks to months
| causes          = [[Bacterial infection]], [[fungal infection]], [[trauma]]
| risks          = [[Nail biting]], [[finger sucking]], [[manicures]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[culture (biology)|culture]]
| differential    = [[Felon (infection)|Felon]], [[herpetic whitlow]], [[onychomycosis]]
| treatment      = [[Antibiotics]], [[antifungal]]s, [[incision and drainage]]
| medication      = [[Amoxicillin]], [[clindamycin]], [[fluconazole]]
| frequency      = Common
}}
'''Paronychia''' is a common skin infection that occurs around the nails. It is typically caused by bacteria or yeast and affects either the proximal or lateral nail fold, or both. Paronychia, often referred to as a nail infection, involves inflammation of the nail folds, which are the ridges of skin around the nails. This condition can manifest in acute or chronic forms, depending on the duration and the cause of the infection.
'''Paronychia''' is a common skin infection that occurs around the nails. It is typically caused by bacteria or yeast and affects either the proximal or lateral nail fold, or both. Paronychia, often referred to as a nail infection, involves inflammation of the nail folds, which are the ridges of skin around the nails. This condition can manifest in acute or chronic forms, depending on the duration and the cause of the infection.
[[File:Paronychia.jpg|thumb|Paronychia]]
[[File:Paronychia green discolor.jpg|left|thumb|Paronychia green discolor]]
[[File:Paronychia green discolor.jpg|thumb|Paronychia green discolor]]
== Causes and Risk Factors ==
== Causes and Risk Factors ==
The most common causes of paronychia are bacterial and yeast infections. [[Staphylococcus aureus]] is the most common bacterial agent, while [[Candida]] is the most common yeast involved. Other possible pathogens include [[Streptococcus]] species and [[Pseudomonas aeruginosa]].
The most common causes of paronychia are bacterial and yeast infections. [[Staphylococcus aureus]] is the most common bacterial agent, while [[Candida]] is the most common yeast involved. Other possible pathogens include [[Streptococcus]] species and [[Pseudomonas aeruginosa]].
Risk factors include activities or occupations that cause the hands to be wet for prolonged periods, such as dishwashing, bartending, or healthcare work. Trauma to the nail cuticle, such as from nail biting or manicures, can also predispose individuals to developing paronychia.
Risk factors include activities or occupations that cause the hands to be wet for prolonged periods, such as dishwashing, bartending, or healthcare work. Trauma to the nail cuticle, such as from nail biting or manicures, can also predispose individuals to developing paronychia.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Symptoms of paronychia include redness, swelling, and tenderness around the nail. The affected area may also feel warm to the touch. Pain is typically present and can be severe in acute cases. A collection of pus may form under the skin, leading to the formation of an abscess.
Symptoms of paronychia include redness, swelling, and tenderness around the nail. The affected area may also feel warm to the touch. Pain is typically present and can be severe in acute cases. A collection of pus may form under the skin, leading to the formation of an abscess.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment of paronychia depends on the severity and the type of the infection. For mild cases, warm soaks may help relieve symptoms. For more severe infections, incision and drainage of any abscesses may be needed. Antibiotics or antifungal medications may also be prescribed, depending on whether the cause is bacterial or yeast-based.
Treatment of paronychia depends on the severity and the type of the infection. For mild cases, warm soaks may help relieve symptoms. For more severe infections, incision and drainage of any abscesses may be needed. Antibiotics or antifungal medications may also be prescribed, depending on whether the cause is bacterial or yeast-based.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Prevention strategies involve proper hand hygiene and avoiding prolonged moisture exposure. Avoiding trauma to the nail cuticle, such as from manicures or nail biting, can also prevent the development of paronychia.
Prevention strategies involve proper hand hygiene and avoiding prolonged moisture exposure. Avoiding trauma to the nail cuticle, such as from manicures or nail biting, can also prevent the development of paronychia.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Nail disease]]
* [[Nail disease]]
* [[Skin Infection]]
* [[Skin Infection]]

Latest revision as of 20:19, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
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Paronychia
Paronychia affecting the finger
Synonyms Perionychia, Whitlow
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Redness, swelling, pain around the nail
Complications Abscess, cellulitis
Onset Rapid (acute) or gradual (chronic)
Duration Acute: days to weeks; Chronic: weeks to months
Types N/A
Causes Bacterial infection, fungal infection, trauma
Risks Nail biting, finger sucking, manicures
Diagnosis Physical examination, culture
Differential diagnosis Felon, herpetic whitlow, onychomycosis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Antibiotics, antifungals, incision and drainage
Medication Amoxicillin, clindamycin, fluconazole
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Paronychia is a common skin infection that occurs around the nails. It is typically caused by bacteria or yeast and affects either the proximal or lateral nail fold, or both. Paronychia, often referred to as a nail infection, involves inflammation of the nail folds, which are the ridges of skin around the nails. This condition can manifest in acute or chronic forms, depending on the duration and the cause of the infection.

Paronychia green discolor

Causes and Risk Factors[edit]

The most common causes of paronychia are bacterial and yeast infections. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacterial agent, while Candida is the most common yeast involved. Other possible pathogens include Streptococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Risk factors include activities or occupations that cause the hands to be wet for prolonged periods, such as dishwashing, bartending, or healthcare work. Trauma to the nail cuticle, such as from nail biting or manicures, can also predispose individuals to developing paronychia.

Symptoms[edit]

Symptoms of paronychia include redness, swelling, and tenderness around the nail. The affected area may also feel warm to the touch. Pain is typically present and can be severe in acute cases. A collection of pus may form under the skin, leading to the formation of an abscess.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of paronychia depends on the severity and the type of the infection. For mild cases, warm soaks may help relieve symptoms. For more severe infections, incision and drainage of any abscesses may be needed. Antibiotics or antifungal medications may also be prescribed, depending on whether the cause is bacterial or yeast-based.

Prevention[edit]

Prevention strategies involve proper hand hygiene and avoiding prolonged moisture exposure. Avoiding trauma to the nail cuticle, such as from manicures or nail biting, can also prevent the development of paronychia.

See Also[edit]

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