CHRONIC PARONYCHIA

Cronic paronychia (CP) is inflammation of the skin about the nail lasting longer than 6 weeks. There are several possible underlying mechanisms:

1. A chronic eczematous condition from either irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. Repeated water contact and an atopic background are predisposing factors. Typical occupations are bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and homemakers.
   
2. Chronic infection, e.g. from Candida or Staphylococcus. Woman who constantly push back the cuticle are at risk.
   
3. A combination of the two. For example, an acute infection may lead to chronically inflamed skin in predisposed people, e.g. atopics, masseuse, dishwasher, bartender, etc. Or chronically inflamed skin may become secondarily infected.
   

Clinical

The skin about one or more nails is inflamed. If chronic, dystrophy of the nails often occurs. This is particularly true if the inflammation is proximal to the nail over the nail matrix. Grooves, pits, and roughness may develop. The cuticle is lost and there may be hypertrophy of the proximal and lateral nail folds.

RegionalDerm

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