Definition
Paronychia is skin around nail plate
Eponychia is skin covering base of nail plate
Pathology
1. Due to foreign material between nail plate and paronychium
2. By hang nail traumatising paronychium
Aetiology
Acute
- typically polymicrobial
- aerobes and anaerobes
- Staph aureus, group A Strep, Eikinella corrodens
- Bacteroides, gram positive cocci and Fusobacterium nucleatum
Chronic paronychia
- atypical mycobacterium
- fungal infection
- gout
- carcinoma
Management
Non operative
- warm soaks
- splinting
- antibiotics (Augmentin)
Operative
Decompress and drainage of abscess may be necessary
- lift nail fold off plate +/- wedge resection
- avoid eponychial nail fold incision