Paronychia (Nail Infection) (cont.)

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Paronychia Causes

Paronychias are most often caused by common skin bacteria entering the skin around the nail that has been damaged by trauma, such as nail biting, finger sucking, dishwashing, or chemical irritants. Fungal infection also can be a cause of paronychia formation, and should be considered especially in people with recurrent infection. Paronychia should not be confused with herpetic whitlow, which can form tiny pustule on the finger and is caused by a virus but is not typically located at the nail edge. Herpetic whitlow is not treated with an incision and drainage and therefore needs to be distinguished from a paronychia.

Paronychia Symptoms and Signs»

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Paronychia (Nail Infection) Topic Guide

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