Paronychia refers to swelling and infection of the skin surrounding a fingernail or toenail.
Paronychia may be caused by repeated injury that creates swelling. It may also be caused by an infection with bacteria or yeast organisms. Swelling lifts the wall of skin underlying the nail and makes the area more prone to future infection.
Following are some common causes of paronychia:
Paronychia is more common in a person who is prone to bacterial and yeast infections, such as an individual who has diabetes. Repeated bouts of paronychia are common.