|
| Fig. 68.7 Acute paronychia demonstrating swelling, pus, and
hemorrhage. |
A paronychia is an inflammation of the nail fold surrounding the nail plate, which may occur in either an acute or
chronic form. Acute forms are precipitated by some form of trauma or chemical damage and usually present as painful
infections (Fig. 68-7). Chronic paronychias tend to occur in several fingers simultaneously and result from repeated wet
activities. An exception to this rule is the chronic paronychia caused by the habitual sucking of a finger, which tends to
favor only one finger! Primary skin conditions, eczema, and atypical infectious organisms may also contribute to
chronic paronychias.
Jebson PJL: Infections of the fingertip: paronychias and felons,
Hand Clin 14:547–555, 1998.
