Paronychia
Infection or inflammation around the nail folds may cause redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes drainage near the nail.
Nail Disorders
Nail Infection
Nail Infection
Consultation.
Receive professional assessment for nail changes, redness, swelling, tenderness, drainage, discoloration, or other symptoms that may indicate a nail or surrounding skin infection. Seoul Skin focuses on identifying the likely cause and recommending an appropriate care pathway.
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Nail Assessment
MD
Clinical Review
Care
Targeted Plan
✓
Follow-Up
Nail Infection • Clinical Assessment
Nail Infection Care
Identify the Cause. Plan the Care.
Nail changes can have different causes and should not be assumed to be fungal
Infection may involve the nail itself or the surrounding skin. Professional assessment can help distinguish possible fungal, bacterial, inflammatory, traumatic, or other nail conditions.
Understanding Nail Infection
Not Every Nail
Not Every Nail
Change Is the Same.
Nail-related symptoms can appear in many forms. Redness or swelling around the nail may occur with paronychia, while thickened, discolored, brittle, or distorted nails can have different causes including fungal infection.
Trauma, repeated pressure, nail-picking, moisture exposure, skin conditions, and other factors can also contribute to changes around or within the nail.
A consultation provides an opportunity to review the appearance, symptoms, duration, recurrence, and relevant history before deciding whether further testing or treatment is appropriate.
Professional Nail Review
A careful examination helps determine whether the problem appears infectious, inflammatory, traumatic, or related to another nail disorder.
What We Assess
Four Common
Four Common
Nail Infection Patterns.
Fungal Nail Changes
Fungal nail infection can be associated with thickening, discoloration, brittleness, separation, or changes in nail texture.
Recurrent Inflammation
Repeated irritation or inflammation around the nail may require evaluation of contributing habits, exposure, trauma, or underlying skin conditions.
Unclear Nail Changes
When the cause is uncertain, professional assessment can help determine whether additional examination or testing should be considered.
Consultation Journey
A Structured
A Structured
Nail Assessment.
01
Review Your Symptoms
We consider when the nail changes began, whether symptoms are worsening or recurring, and whether pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or other symptoms are present.
02
Examine the Nail & Surrounding Skin
The appearance of the nail, nail folds, surrounding skin, discoloration, thickening, swelling, and other visible changes are reviewed.
03
Consider the Possible Cause
The assessment considers whether the presentation is more consistent with a fungal, bacterial, inflammatory, traumatic, or other nail-related condition.
04
Discuss the Appropriate Next Step
Depending on the findings, your clinician may recommend observation, targeted treatment, additional testing, or follow-up evaluation.
Symptoms to Discuss
When Your Nail
When Your Nail
Needs Assessment.
Persistent or unexplained nail changes deserve attention, especially when symptoms are painful, worsening, recurrent, or associated with drainage or significant inflammation.
Redness or swelling around the nail
Inflammation around the nail fold may be associated with infection or irritation.
Nail discoloration or thickening
Yellow, white, brown, opaque, thickened, or distorted nails may require assessment.
Pain or tenderness
Persistent discomfort around or beneath the nail can be a reason to seek professional evaluation.
Pus, drainage, spreading redness, or worsening symptoms
These symptoms can indicate a more significant infection and should receive prompt medical attention.
Nail separation or structural changes
Separation from the nail bed or unusual changes in nail shape may require further assessment.
Repeated nail problems
Recurrent infection-like symptoms may require evaluation of contributing factors and underlying conditions.
Assessment Approach
Understanding the
Understanding the
Cause Comes First.
Visual Examination
The nail and surrounding skin are examined for changes in color, thickness, texture, swelling, tenderness, drainage, and nail structure.
Additional Testing
When the diagnosis is uncertain or fungal infection is suspected, additional testing may be considered to help guide treatment.
Treatment Planning
The next step is selected according to the suspected cause, severity, symptoms, affected nail, recurrence history, and individual circumstances.
Nail Infection vs Other Changes
Similar Symptoms Can Have
Similar Symptoms Can Have
Different Causes.
Possible Infection
Some nail infections can produce visible changes to the nail or surrounding tissue.
Redness or swelling
Tenderness or pain
Drainage or pus
Nail discoloration or thickening
Other Nail Conditions
Nail changes are not always caused by infection. Trauma, inflammatory skin conditions, pressure, and other disorders can produce similar appearances.
Previous nail trauma
Repeated pressure or friction
Inflammatory skin conditions
Other nail disorders
Personalized Nail Care
Four Steps Toward
Four Steps Toward
Better Nail Health.
Identify
Understand the visible changes and symptoms affecting the nail or surrounding skin.
Assess
Review possible causes, severity, recurrence, and whether additional testing may be useful.
Treat
Follow a treatment plan appropriate to the suspected condition and individual clinical needs.
Monitor
Follow the response to treatment and address persistent or recurrent symptoms when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nail Infection
Nail Infection
FAQ.
What symptoms can indicate a nail infection?
Possible symptoms include redness, swelling, tenderness, drainage, pain, nail discoloration, thickening, brittleness, separation, or changes around the nail. These symptoms can also occur with non-infectious conditions, so assessment is important.
Is every yellow or thick nail a fungal infection?
No. Fungal infection is one possible cause, but nail trauma, pressure, inflammatory skin conditions, and other nail disorders can also cause discoloration or thickening.
What is paronychia?
Paronychia refers to inflammation or infection of the tissue surrounding a fingernail or toenail. It can cause redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes drainage around the nail.
Will I need a nail test?
Not necessarily. The need for additional testing depends on the clinical appearance and the level of diagnostic certainty. Testing may be considered when confirming a suspected fungal infection would help guide treatment.
Can nail infections come back?
Yes. Recurrence can occur depending on the underlying cause, treatment response, exposure, nail growth, and other contributing factors. Follow-up can help address persistent or recurrent problems.
When should I seek medical attention quickly?
Prompt assessment is appropriate when there is significant or worsening pain, pus or drainage, spreading redness, marked swelling, fever, or other concerning symptoms.
Related Nail Disorders
Continue Exploring
Continue Exploring
Nail Care.
Nail Infection Consultation
Not Sure What Is
Not Sure What Is
Changing Your Nail?
A professional consultation can help you understand your nail symptoms, possible causes, and the most appropriate next step for assessment and care.
Nail Infection Quick Facts
Common Presentations
Redness, swelling, pain, drainage, discoloration or nail changes
Possible Causes
Fungal, bacterial, inflammatory, traumatic or other nail conditions
Assessment
Clinical examination with additional testing when appropriate
Treatment
Personalized according to the suspected cause and clinical findings
Follow-Up
Monitoring may be recommended for persistent or recurrent symptoms