Paronychia

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Infection - skin around the nail

Treatment goals are to eliminate the infection and relieve the symptoms.

In bacterial paronychia, hot water soaks 2 or 3 times per day reduce inflammation and pain. Topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed. In severe cases, your physician may cut and drain the lesion with a sharp instrument.

Fungal paronychia may be treated with topical or oral antifungals. The hands should be kept dry, or, topical drying agents such as Castellani's paint should be applied.

Paronychia usually is superficial and responds well to treatment, although fungal infections may persist for several months. Complications are rare, but they occasionally occur.

• Abscess formation
• Local spread of infection, including infection of the tendons and bone
• Spread of infection to the bloodstream and throughout the body

Call your health care provider if paronychia symptoms persist despite treatment.

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop:

• Localized spread of symptoms
• Development of red streaks along the skin
• Fever
• Chills
• General ill feeling
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain

Review Date: 04/30/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.