Dermatologic Manifestations of Paronychia Follow-up

  • Author: Allison Vidimos, MD, RPh; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 10, 2010
 

Further Outpatient Care

Patients with recurring or chronic paronychia require frequent follow-up monitoring to prevent possible superinfections or deep-seated infections.

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Complications

Paronychia can result in more serious infections, such as felon, septic tenosynovitis, or osteomyelitis. Such infections occur more readily in patients who are immunosuppressed or whose condition has been mistreated or neglected.

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Patient Education

Instruct individuals to avoid any trauma to the fingernails and to avoid nail biting and finger sucking. Educate patients who work with their hands in a moist environment that such exposure predisposes them to infections. Inform patients that treatment is unlikely to be successful if their exposure to moist or wet environment is not changed. Instruct patients who are immunocompromised to remain vigilant against any minor trauma to the fingertips and nails.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Skin, Hair, and Nails Center and Psoriasis Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Nail Psoriasis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Allison Vidimos, MD, RPh  Staff, Section of Micrographic Surgery (Mohs) and Oncology; Chairman, Department of Dermatology; Cleveland Clinic

Allison Vidimos, MD, RPh is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and International Society for Dermatologic Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Elizabeth M Billingsley, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Penn State University College of Medicine; Director, Dermatologic Surgery and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Penn State Hersey Medical Center

Elizabeth M Billingsley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Council for Nail Disorders, and Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard K Scher, MD  Professor of Dermatology, University of North Carolina

Richard K Scher, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Cryosurgery, American College of Physicians, American Dermatological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, New York Academy of Sciences, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Rhode Island Medical Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Julia R Nunley, MD  Professor, Program Director, Dermatology Residency, Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Julia R Nunley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, Medical Dermatology Society, Medical Society of Virginia, National Kidney Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Novartis Grant/research funds Consulting; Biolex Grant/research funds sub-investigator

Glen H Crawford, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital

Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Depicted are the nail fold (A), dorsal roof (B), ventral floor (C), nail wall (D), perionychium (E), lunula (F), nail bed (G), germinal matrix (H), sterile matrix (I), nail plate (J), hyponychium (K), distal groove (L), fascial septa (M), fat pad (N), distal interphalangeal joint (O), and extensor tendon insertion (P).
Typical appearance of paronychia.
Simple acute paronychia can be drained by elevating the eponychial fold from the nail with a small blunt instrument such as a metal probe or elevator.
 
 
 
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