|
| 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.
