Incidence of Chronic Paronychia

Abstract

IT IS GENERALLY agreed among dermatologists that chronic paronychia seems to be more common among diabetics. However, prior to this study the actual incidence of chronic paronychia in diabetics or in a general medical population had never been determined. This incidence study has been part of multiple studies to increase our knowledge of chronic paronychia. Clinical Diagnosis Chronic paronychia is entirely a clinical diagnosis, but the picture presented is so characteristic as to present no diagnostic difficulties. Paronychia, by definition, is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the nail plate. Acute and chronic paronychia differ by more than the duration that they have been present. Acute paronychia is similar to an acute cellulitis at any other site and usually it is of streptococcic or staphylococcic origin. It does not need further discussion here except to state that only rarely would such a lesion be followed by a chronic paronychia. Chronic