Worst Nail Infections

Paronychias are most often caused by common skin bacteria (most commonly staphylococci bacteria) entering the skin around the nail that has been damaged by trauma, such as nail biting, finger sucking, dishwashing, or chemical irritants. Fungal infection also can be a cause of paronychia formation and should be considered especially in people with recurrent infection. Paronychia should not be confused with herpetic whitlow, which can form tiny pustules on the finger and is caused by a virus but is not typically located at the nail edge. Herpetic whitlow is not treated with an incision and drainage and therefore needs to be distinguished from a paronychia.