An acute or chronic infection of the soft tissues around the nail. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, erythema, and swelling around the nail. Acute infection results from minor trauma to the fingertip and Staphylococcus aureus is usually the causative agent. Chronic infection is usually caused by Candida albicans.
Symptoms of Paronychia
The following features are indicative of Paronychia:
pain in the fingers
pus
redness
swelling
tenderness
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Common Causes of Paronychia
The following are the most common causes of Paronychia:
bacterial infection
fungal infection
yeast infection
Risk Factors for Paronychia
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Paronychia:
diabetes
repeatedly washing hands
trauma to the cuticle
Prevention of Paronychia
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Paronychia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
do not bite or pick the nails
protect the nails from exposure to detergents
protect the nails from chemicals by using rubber or plastic gloves
Occurrence of Paronychia
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Paronychia cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Paronychia can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Paronychia can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Paronychia
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Paronychia:
Physical examination: To determine the type of infection
Doctor for Diagnosis of Paronychia
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Paronychia:
Dermatologist
Complications of Paronychia if untreated
Yes, Paronychia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Paronychia is left untreated:
abscess
permanent changes in the shape of the nail
spread of infection to tendons, bones, or bloodstream
Procedures for Treatment of Paronychia
The following procedures are used to treat Paronychia:
Surgery: To remove affected part of the nail and drain the sore
Self-care for Paronychia
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Paronychia:
Soak nail in warm water 2 or 3 times a day: Helps reduce swelling and pain
Time for Treatment of Paronychia
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Paronychia to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
