Paronychia

Acute paronychia is an acute infection of the nail folds and periungual tissues, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Treatment of acute paronychia includes incision and drainage of any purulent fluid, soaks, and topical and/or oral antibacterials.

Chronic paronychia is a chronic irritant dermatitis of the periungual tissues resulting from barrier damage to the protective nail tissues, including the cuticle and the proximal and lateral nail folds.

Water and irritant avoidance is the hallmark of treatment of chronic paronychia.

Paronychia means inflammation of the nail apparatus. Acute paronychias are infections of the periungual tissues, usually presenting with an acutely painful, purulent infection.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Acute paronychiaFrom the collection of Dr N.J. Jellinek and Professor C.R. Daniel III [Citation ends]. Chronic paronychia represents barrier damage to the protective nail tissues, including the cuticle and the proximal and lateral nail folds.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Chronic paronychiaFrom the collection of Dr N.J. Jellinek and Professor C.R. Daniel III [Citation ends].[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Chronic paronychiaFrom the collection of Dr N.J. Jellinek and Professor C.R. Daniel III [Citation ends]. The altered nail barrier predisposes the nail to irritant dermatitis, most importantly from water, soap, chemicals, and microbes. Avoidance of such irritants is the hallmark of treatment.