paronychia
noun
par·o·nych·ia
ˌper-ə-ˈni-kē-ə 
ˌpa-rə-
medical
: inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation
… chronic paronychia may be related to factors causing a localized inflammatory reaction. These factors may be frequent contact with chemicals, chronic dishwashing, finger sucking as well as the effects of certain medications.—
J. Keith Festa
J. Keith FestaParonychia, a painful infection, can creep under the skin around your nails when the cuticle breaks down, so slather cream around fingertips, too.—Holly E. Thomas and Michelle Thomas
Holly E. Thomas and Michelle ThomasExamples of paronychia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bacterial paronychia often causes redness, swelling and pain around the skin fold of the nail, sometimes with puslike drainage, says Olabola Awosika, a dermatologist with Pinnacle Dermatology in Detroit.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
The potential resulting infection, known as paronychia, also can occur in fingernails after a manicure, according to experts.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
Bacterial infections are potential causes of paronychia, which causes severe redness, swelling, or pus to leak from your nail.5
Fungal Infection Symptoms
The fungus from a fungal infection in your toenail can live in the dead tissue of your nail.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 19 July 2024
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Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
The potential resulting infection, known as paronychia, also can occur in fingernails after a manicure, according to experts.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
Bacterial infections are potential causes of paronychia, which causes severe redness, swelling, or pus to leak from your nail.5
Fungal Infection Symptoms
The fungus from a fungal infection in your toenail can live in the dead tissue of your nail.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 19 July 2024
Dictionary Entries Near paronychia
Cite this Entry
“Paronychia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paronychia. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paronychia
noun
par·o·nych·ia
ˌpar-ə-ˈnik-ē-ə
: inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation compare felon, whitlow sense 1
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