Paronychia (infection of the nail bed)

General or Other | - Others | Paronychia (infection of the nail bed) (Disease)


Description

Paronychia is an infection that develops along the edge of the fingernail or toenail is called a paronychia. It is the most common hand infection and, if left untreated, can progress to a more severe infection of the entire finger or toe.

There are two different types of paronychia, acute and chronic. Acute paronychia usually appears as a sudden, very painful area of swelling, warmth and redness around a fingernail or toenail, usually after an injury to the area. Chronic paronychia. This is an infection that usually develops slowly, causing gradual swelling, tenderness and redness of the skin around the nails. It usually is caused by Candida or other species of yeast (fungus). It often affects several fingers on the same hand.

Causes and Risk factors

An acute paronychia typically is caused by an infection with bacteria that invade the skin where it was injured. The injury can be caused by overaggressive manicuring (especially cutting or tearing the cuticle, which is the rim of paper-thin skin that outlines the outer margins of your nail). It can also result from biting the edges of the nails or the skin around the nails, picking at the skin near the nails or sucking on the fingers.

People who are more likely to get this infection include those with diabetes or workers whose jobs constantly expose their hands to water or chemical solvents. Such jobs include bartending, house cleaning, janitorial work, dentistry, nursing, food service, dishwashing and hairdressing.

An acute paronychia causes throbbing pain, redness, warmth and swelling in the skin around a nail. In some cases, a small collection of pus forms under the skin next to the nail, or underneath the nail itself. Often, only one nail is affected. A chronic paronychia usually causes less dramatic symptoms than an acute paronychia. Typically, the area around the nail is tender, red and mildly swollen; the cuticle is missing; and the skin around the nail feels moist or boggy. Several nails on the same hand may be affected at the same time.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In severe cases, the doctor may cut and drain the sore with a sharp instrument. Part of the nail may need to be removed. If a person has fungal paronychia, the doctor may prescribe antifungal medicine. Keep the hands dry and apply a skin-drying substance, such as Castellanis paint. ...