Nail Bed Inflammation (Paronychia)

Paronychia – colloquially called nail bed inflammation – (synonyms: onychia; panaritium, perionychia; paronychia; ICD-10 L03.0-: Phlegmon of fingers and toes) is one of the most common nail diseases. The nail bed is the tissue under the fingernail or toenail. Often the surrounding nail area with nail fold, nail wall or cuticle are also inflamed.

Paronychia is a special form of panaritium (purulent inflammation of the toes and fingers) in the area of the nail fold.Panaritium sublinguale is the name given to a focus of pus under the nail. Panaritium subcutaneum is when pathogens have infected the subcutaneous tissue (subcutaneous fatty tissue). Further spread per continuitatem (“continuously”, “without transition”) may affect the adjacent joint (panaritium articulare) or the bone (panaritium ossale; possibly also panaritium periostale).

A distinction is made between the acute and the chronic form. Acute nail bed inflammation is usually caused by bacteria, whereas chronic nail bed inflammation is more likely to be caused by Candida species (yeast fungi).

Course and prognosis: An incipient inflammation of the nail bed can usually be successfully treated by simple measures such as immobilization, elevation, baths, disinfectant solutions or creams. If this fails and the inflammation worsens (redness, swelling, throbbing pain, hyperthermia), surgical treatment with adequate systemic antibiosis (antibiotic therapy) is required immediately.