Paronychia is a skin infection that occurs around the nails.
Paronychia is a skin infection that occurs around the nails.
Causes
• Paronychia is fairly common. It is usually caused by
• injury to the area — for example, from biting off or picking a hangnail or from trimming or pushing back the cuticle.
• Bacterial paronychia is caused by bacteria.
• Candidal paronychia is caused by a specific type of yeast.
Fungal paronychia is caused by a fungus other than Candida. A bacterial and fungal infection may occur at the same time. Fungal paronychia may be seen in persons with a fungal nail infection. It is also common among people with diabetes and those who have their hands in water for long periods of time.
Symptoms
• The main symptom is a painful, red, swollen area around the nail, often at the cuticle or at the site of a hangnail or other injury. There may be pus-filled blisters, especially with a bacterial infection.
• Bacteria cause the condition to occur suddenly. If all or part of the infection is due to a fungus, it tends to occur more slowly.
• Nail changes may occur. For example, the nail may look detached, abnormally shaped, or have an unusual color.