ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews current understanding and management options in the patient with chronic paronychia. Chronic paronychia is an inflammatory reaction involving the folds of tissue surrounding a fingernail or toenail. Different clinical grades of chronic paronychia are explained with pictorial representation. A comprehensive review of causative factors in the development and chronicity of paronychia are discussed. Management is explained via a simple flow chart for guided approach for treatment with chronic paronychia. The article specifically throws importance on nail fold inflammation, ruling out co-infection and use of topical corticosteroids and topical anti-fungal agents in the management of chronic paronychia. At the end, this chapter describes use of various surgical modalities described in the treatment of chronic paronychia in a nutshell.
