Paronychia

Paronychia is an infection of the skin that surrounds a fingernail or toenail. It may be acute or chronic.

Paronychia occurs when a bacteria or fungus enters damaged skin surrounding the nail. The damaged skin can be torn cuticles, cuts, or cracks.

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

• Diabetes
• Work that requires frequent exposure to chemical solvents or water (e.g., food service, cleaning, dentistry, bartending, hairdressing, nursing)
• Habitual nail-biting

Symptoms include:

• Redness and swelling in the skin around the nail
• Pus formation near the nail
• Pain and tenderness to the touch
• Discoloration of the nail

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. If there is pus, your doctor may recommend that you have it drained. You should not try to drain the pus yourself. Your doctor may send a sample of the pus to the lab for testing. The sample can be cultured to help identify what is causing the infection.

Treatments are different for acute and chronic Paronychia.
Acute paronychia
A mild case of acute paronychia (minor swelling or redness near the nail) may be treated by soaking the affected nail in warm water. This treatment can be repeated 2-4 times daily, for about 15 minutes each.
In most cases, this type of paronychia heals within 5-10 days. If your condition does not improve, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic medication.
Chronic paronychia
Chronic cases can be caused by fungi, so your doctor may give you an antifungal medication. It may be a cream or pill. You may need to take the medication for several weeks. It is important to keep the skin clean and dry. It is also important to avoid getting irritating substances on the area.
Symptoms may subside with treatment. However, permanent nail damage may sometimes result.

To help prevent Paronychia:

• Keep your hands and feet clean and dry.
• Wear rubber gloves if your hands are routinely exposed to water or chemicals.
• Avoid biting your nails.
• Avoid cutting, pulling, or tearing your cuticles.
• Avoid artificial nails, vigorous manicures, or treatments that remove the cuticles.
• If you have diabetes, maintain your blood sugar levels in a normal range.