Definition:
Paronychia is also very commonly called bacterial nail infection. It is charaaterized by an inflammation of the finger or toe region called the proximal nail fold where the nail plate originated. The inflammation due to infection occurs in a short perod of time but in some cases may occur longer and at times reoccurs or chronic in nature.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis for paronychia is done by laboratory test to differential and to investigate what caused the infection.
Treatment:
In acute paronychia cases, physicians may treat the infection by puncturing and draining the affected area. The moisture or pus taken from it will be subjected to laboratory tests for bacteria or viral infection. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infection, while an antiviral medication will be given to treat herpes infection or viral infection. In the cases of chronic paronychia, a topical steroid is prescribed together with a topical or oral antifungal medicine and antibiotics.
Symptoms and Signs:
Paronychia or bacterial nail infection usually affects the proximal part of the nail fold of the finger. It does not usually affect the toe area. In acute cases, the proximal nail fold turns red, may contain pus, becomes swollen, and is usually painful. In chronic cases, the proximal nail fold becomes swollen, has no cuticle, and turns red. It affects one or even more nails.
Causes:
In acute cases of paronychia, children are usually affected. It is caused by bacteria that enters the finger nails especially when it always has moisture. Viral paronychia however are also common in adults and is associated to genital herpes infection. Chronic paronychia cases is very common in adult women who works with their hands being kept moist like food handlers.
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