Paronychia

Paronychia is inflammation of the proximal nail fold and presents as painful periungual erythema, sometimes with associated purulence. Acute paronychia is usually caused by infection . Chronic paronychia is most commonly due to mechanical or chemical factors. If the periungual area is fluctuant or shows purulence, it should be drained to avoid matrix damage. Topical and/or systemic antibiotics should be administered if bacterial infection is suspected.