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Paronychia, Sports Medicine

Holly J. Benjamin, MD, FAAP, FACSM and Yaqoob Syed, DO Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Inflammation of the folds of skin surrounding the fingernail or toenail

  • May be acute (<6 wk) or chronic (>6 wk)

  • Typically infectious but can be noninfectious

  • System(s) affected: s...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Special tests: digital pressure test to look for abscess

  • Diagnostic procedures: can do ultrasound to look for abscess 2[C], x-ray (XR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if atypical

PHYSICAL EXAM

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Depends on severity of inflammation and abscess formation

  • Acute: warm compresses with warm water or antiseptic soaks and a topical antibiotic (triple antibiotic ointment)

  • Chron...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Full activity 

Patient Monitoring

Routine follow-up until healed 

DIET

  • No special diet

  • Zinc 20 mg daily supplementation may be helpful 2.

PATIENT EDUCATION

Chronic: Keep...

REFERENCES

1
Shafritz AB, Coppage JM. Acute and chronic paronychia of the hand. J Am Acad Orthop Surg.  2014;22(3):165–174.
2
Leggit JC. Acute and chronic paronychia. Am Fam Physician.  2017;96...

ADDITIONAL READING

Ritting AW, O’Malley MP, Rodner CM. Acute paronychia. J Hand Surg Am.  2012;37(5):1068–1070. 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Acute paronychia is usually bacterial and chronic paronychia is usually due to irritants.

  • Diagnosis is based on history and physical.

  • Treatment should start with warm compresses and I...

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