Paronychia

Alternative names:

infection of the skin around the nail

Definition:

A superficial infection of the skin around the nails, most commonly caused by staphylococcus bacteria, or yeast or other fungi.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Paronychia is a fairly common superficial infection of the skin around the nail. It usually results from injury to the area from biting off or picking a hangnail, or from manipulating, trimming, or pushing back the cuticle.

Disorders include:

• bacterial paronychia (caused by bacteria)
• Candida paronychia (caused by a specific type of yeast)
• fungal paronychia (caused by a fungus other than Candida)

Paronychia may include a combined bacterial and fungal infection. Fungal paronychia may accompany fungal nail infection.

Fungal paronychia is common among people with diabetes and among people who have their hands in water for long periods of time.