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Paronychia

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Definition:

Paronychia is a skin infection that occurs around the nails.

Alternative Names:

Infection - skin around the nail

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Paronychia is fairly common. It is usually caused by injury to the area -- for example, from biting off or picking a hangnail or from trimming or pushing back the cuticle.

• Bacterial paronychia is caused by bacteria.
• Candidal paronychia is caused by a specific type of yeast.
• Fungal paronychia is caused by a fungus other than Candida.

A bacterial and fungal infection may occur at the same time.

Fungal paronychia may be seen in persons with a fungal nail infection . It is also common among persons with diabetes and those who have their hands in water for long periods of time.

References:

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004.

• Review Date: 4/12/2007
• Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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