CHRONIC PARONYCHIA
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.
General Information:
Chronic Paronychia
- Is an infection of the skin around a nail with the yeast Candida Albicans.
- May start as an Acute Paronychia and then turn into a chronic paronychia.
- Is often associated with damage the nail cuticle.
- Damage to the cuticle may occur if the cuticles are trimmed, pushed back, if the hands are in water repeatedly or if artificial nails are worn.
- The yeast enters the opening between the skin and the nail and produces an infection.
- The skin is often red and swollen around the nail.
- The skin is sometimes tender.
- There is usually NO pus come out around the nail.
- The cuticle is almost always missing.
- The nail may be yellow or ridged, especially at the edges.
Treatment:
General Measures:
- Avoid contact with water.
- Wear gloves whenever your hands are in water if you are doing wet work (laundry, cutting up foods, etc.).
- Do not push back or trim your cuticles.
Topical Therapy:
- A prescription topical nail lacquer can be used once daily.
- It is applied to the nail and to the skin around the nail, every day and removed once weekly with nail polish remover.
- It must be used for 6 months or more to see improvement.
- Do NOT use nail polish over the laquer as it may permanently discolour your nails.
Oral Medications (Pills):
- Please talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options.