12/11/2025
🌀 Paronychia 🌀
This is the infection or inflammation of the skin around the toenail, usually along the nail folds. It can affect one or more toenails, and may be acute (sudden and short-term) or chronic (long-lasting and recurring).
Acute Paronychia Is when minor trauma can allow bacteria to enter the skin around the nail.
• Examples:
• Ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis)
• Nail biting or picking
• Aggressive nail trimming
• Wearing tight shoes
• Pedicure-related injury.
Chronic Paronychia
Usually due to repeated irritation or prolonged moisture exposure, which weakens the skin barrier.
• Can be associated with fungal infection
Constant exposure to water, soaps, or chemicals (common in hairdressers, cleaners, or swimmers)
• Poor foot hygiene
• Diabetes or immune suppression
Symptoms
• Redness and swelling around the nail fold
• Pain and tenderness (especially when wearing shoes)
• Warmth at the site
• Pus formation (in acute cases)
• Thickened, discolored, or ridged nail (in chronic cases)
If this doesn't settle within 4-6 weeks we recommend a total nail avulsion in order to remove the traumatised nail and let a better nail grow back better.
This lady had wore tight ballet pumps AND had a pedicure where chemicals had seeps into the cuticle and gone to the root.
Does your nail look similar? Book a consultation via the link in my bio
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