NAILS

DISEASES AND TREATMENTS

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Paronychia or Unheiro (Paronychia)

What is paronychia?

Paronychia, known as wharf or unho, is the inflammation of the skin that occurs around the fingernails or toenails.

What causes paronychia?

Inflammation is often due to fungal and bacterial infection. But there are many causes of inflammatory diseases.

Chronic paronychia tends to be caused by repeated inflammation from irritants, moisture, or allergens (substances that can induce allergy) and can involve multiple nails. Fungal and bacterial infection can also occur.

Why is the skin around the nail inflamed?

Any trauma to the nail or the skin around the nail, such as cutting the cuticle too much or doing an aggressive manicure, can create a pathway for bacteria and fungi to enter, and cause an infection.

People who expose their hands to water or irritating chemicals such as used detergents when washing dishes, for example, they are at greater risk of developing this problem.
In addition, people with diabetes or diseases that compromise the immune system are more likely to develop infections.

What are the symptoms of paronychia?

Symptoms include:

● A painful, red, swollen area around the nail
● Blisters filled with pus near the nail

When the picture becomes chronic, we can also observe thickening of the skin above or around the nail.

How to treat paronychia?

When the condition is acute, we can prescribe cream and oral medications to control infections. It is often necessary to drain the pus from the affected finger. Drainage is a delicate procedure, performed with sterile material, avoiding damage to healthy tissue.

When the condition becomes chronic, in addition to performing therapy with oral and topical treatment, we need to assess the need for treatment with medications applied directly to the skin, and often surgery.