Paronychia

Paronychia is a type of skin infection which affects the area around the nails. Paronychia is usually caused by an injury to the affected area. For instance, the injury may be occurred due to picking or biting off the hangnail or from pushing back the cuticle. A bacterial and fungal infection may take place at the vulnerable area.

There are three types of paronychia. They are

Bacterial paronychia – caused by bacteria

Fungal parynochia – caused by fungus

Candidal paronychia – caused by certain type of yeast

The commonly observed symptom from paronychia is red, painful, swollen area around the nail mostly at the area of hangnail or at the cuticle. Pus-filled bumps may blisters may also arise if there is a bacterial infection.