An inflammation surrounding the base of your nail fold is called paronychia.



There are two known types of this condition, according to their progress. If it starts suddenly, it is known as acute paronychia, while chronic paronychia is characterized by gradual development. There are many known causes for paronychia. Biting off, pushing back or trimming the cuticle, or picking a hangnail can lead to nail infection and even toenail infection, which may develop into paronychia.

Acute paronychia immediately develops even after a few hours. Your nail fold becomes red, swollen, and painful.



Pus can appear underneath your cuticle. In other circumstances, you’ll experience fever or painful glands underneath your arms. This is often caused by the Staph bacteria. Chronic paronychia, meanwhile, progress gradually but is much harder to treat. It will begin in a particular nail fold then spreads to others. Every affected nail fold is lifted over the nail and cells.



It is normally red and tender to touch producing yellow, green, or white thick pus underneath the cuticle.

Paronychia can be diagnosed using different clinical symptoms. It may not be necessary to identify the bacteria as these can be either Staphylococcus species or Streptococcus species only. Yet if assurance is needed, culture can be taken from the pus. It is more difficult to diagnose chronic paronychia. A smear from your nail fold is effective for a KOH (potassium hydroxide) test, to determine the fungus involved.





In order to prevent paronychia, it is important to take proper care of the nails and the skin around the nails. Damage to the nails or the fingertips due to biting or picking them should be avoided. Since nails grow very slowly, damage can cause injury that can last for a long period of time. Avoid exposure of the nails to detergents and chemicals by using rubber or plastic gloves. Trimming the fingernails weekly and keeping them in regular shape can also reduce the risk of damage to them. Since they grow more slowly, toenails need to be clipped at about at least once a month.



Sharp manicure scissors or nail clippers should be used for trimming the nails and an emery board for shaping the edges. It is best to trim nails after taking a bath when they may be softer or easier to trim. Fingernail should be clipped with a somewhat curved edge while toenails have to be cut straight across but not too short. Cutting the cuticles can cause damage to the skin around the nail. This is why it is best not to trim them or use cuticle removers.

Acute paronychia is typically treated with antibiotics, either in cream or tablet form.



If the paronychia continues to go on, then there is high probability that is caused by a fungal infection and anti-fungal cream or paint may be used in the treatment. In order to minimize inflammation and pain, one has to soak his nail in hot water at least two to three times a day. If pus has developed, the doctor may need to make and incision in order to drain the pus out and when the infection has affected the nail, part of it may be removed.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.