Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Paronychia

Alternative Names: Infection - skin around the nail Symptoms: Skin lesion located in the skin around the nail, often at the cuticle or at the site of a hangnail or other injury Painful Onset sudden (bacterial) or gradual (fungal, mixed infection) May persist (fungal, mixed infection) May be acute or chronic Localized redness Localized swelling Pus-filled blisters (especially with bacterial infection) Swelling of the finger or the cuticle Nail changes Discoloration Distorted shape Detached Signs and tests: The health care provider primarily bases the diagnosis on the appearance of the skin lesion. Text Continues Below Aspiration and culture of pus or fluid from the area may reveal the organism causing the infection.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.