Paronychia

Paronychia refers to a bacterial infection that occurs in the area adjacent to the nailbed. This infection may appear on a finger or toe. A paronychial infection may develop suddenly due to a bacterial infection, or may persist for months or more due to a fungal infection. Acute paronychia usually clears completely in a few days, and rarely recurs.

In Paronychia, a small painful abscess that forms at the base of the nail or the pulp of the finger. Sometimes, the patient feels intense pain as the bursting of an ,abscess takes a long time. The nail plate becomes distorted and ridged as it grows. It may become yellow or green and brittle. After recovery, it takes up to a year for the nails to grow back to normal. The patient's condition is improved by the drainage of pus from the affected skin.

In many cases, you can begin self-treatment by soaking the affected finger or toe in warm water. Treatment is by antibiotic or antifungal creams and/or tablets. Pus that has accumulated under the skin fold may need to be drained. In order to successfully treat chronic paronychia the hands must be kept clean and dry. One should avoid wet work, or use totally waterproof gloves with a cotton liner. After dirty work, wash thoroughly with an antibacterial soap.

Paronychia has two types

• Acute paronychia
• Chronic paronychia

Both acute and chronic infections start with a break in the epidermis.