Overview

It is said to be a condition where there is inflammation of the nail due to trauma, chemical irritation or any infection. This, when left untreated, affects the fingernails or toenails of the body.

Paronychia develops when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle (the skin at the base of the nail) and the nail fold (where skin and nail meet), resulting in an infection.                                                            

Acute paronychia - sudden in onset, mostly due to trauma.

Chronic paronychia - due to yeast infection

As these yeasts grow in moist environments (feet and hands soaked in water for a long time)   

                                                                                                                                                               

Causes

Common Causes are as follows.

• Bacterial Infection - nail biting, aggressive manicuring, picking the skin -causing trauma and bacterial invasion. Most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus species.

• Fungal Infection -Candida albicans (a type of yeast)- particularly in people with hands frequently exposed to moisture

• Viral Infection

 Risk Factors are as follows.

• Frequent exposure to water or irritants (Bartenders, dishwashers, healthcare workers)

• Underlying skin conditions like eczema

• Diabetes or immunosuppression

Along with the above causes, vitamin deficiency and immunocompromised individuals are more prone to paronychia.

Symptoms

Acute Paronychia

Acute paronychia is characterised byI ntense throbbing pain, along with redness, warmth, and swelling in the skin surrounding the affected nail. In certain instances, a small accumulation of pus may develop either beneath the skin adjacent to the nail or underneath the nail itself. Typically, this condition affects only a single nail.

Chronic Paronychia

Chronic paronychia, in contrast, generally presents with less pronounced symptoms than acute paronychia. The area adjacent to the nail usually appears tender, red, and mildly swollen. In this condition, the cuticle is often absent, and the skin surrounding the nail may exhibit a moist or "boggy" texture. Several nails on the same hand may be affected concurrently in cases of chronic paronychia.

Ayurvedic View

Khunakha - here the word 'ku' means bad and 'nakha'means nail. Due to aggravation of pitta dosha along with vata and kapha, causes vitiation of rakta(blood), and leads to shopha(inflammatory swelling )when infected can cause pain, discharge and sometimes mild fever; this is paronychia. The Ayurveda way of approach is to bring the dosha back to a balanced state, and reduce the symptoms and recurrence of this disease by Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment to purify blood and local treatment so as to heal the wound without scar.