Chronic Paronychia

It is a common infection of skin around the nail. There are two types – ‘acute paronychia’  and ‘chronic paronychia.’

Acute paronychia starts suddenly and gets cure early with treatment, while chronic paronychia develops slowly, may present in an episodic way, and takes long term treatment to resolve.

Bacteria usually cause acute Paronychia, and sometimes herpes viral infection can cause acute infection of nail fold skin. A break in the skin can give easy access to germs; the following activities will make you more prone to paronychia such as nail-biting, picking, or manicures.

The affected part shows a red, warm, tender, and swollen area. In some patients, pus may get collected under nail folds after a few days. 

Chronic paronychia is caused by a mixture of yeasts (candida, herpes simplex, and bacteria Staphylococcus aureus).

It is most common in people who often have their hands in water, for example, bartender, fisherman, cleaner, dairy farmers, beautician. A diabetic person also has more chances of getting this infection frequently.

• Affected nail fold skin becomes red, swollen, and the overlying skin surface looks shinier.
• Pus-filled swelling may be present over the nail fold, which causes extreme tenderness.

The diagnosis is quite specific on the clinical look of red, swollen tender nail folds.

• Oral antifungal with or without antibacterial agents
• Antifungal drugs are given orally and topically
• Drainage of pus is present.
• Underlying conditions such as diabetes and poor circulation must also be treated to help improve paronychia.

•  You should keep your hands as warm and dry as possible; you will not get better until you do this. 
• Avoid biting your nails, manicuring your nail folds, and pushing back the cuticles.
• Do not use nail varnish until the condition has been treated.
• Do not apply false nails until the condition is resolved.