Paronychia | Overview -- FamilyDoctor.org

Paronychia | Overview -- FamilyDoctor.org

Paronychia

01/15/2014 10:14 AM EST

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
Related MedlinePlus Page: Nail Diseases

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Paronychia

Overview

What is paronychia?

Paronychia (say: “pare-oh-nick-ee-uh”) is an infection in the skin around the fingernails or toenails. It usually affects the skin at the base (cuticle) or up the sides of the nail. There are two types of paronychia: acute paronychia and chronic paronychia. Acute paronychia often occurs in only one nail. Chronic paronychia may occur in one nail or several at once. Chronic paronychia either doesn’t get better or keeps coming back.