disease is characterized by rapid appearance of erythema, oedema, together with proximal and lateral nail fold discomfort or tenderness seen two to five days following trauma.
initial presentation may be limited to superficial infection and collection of pus under the nail fold (when the nail fold is compressed pus drains out)
if left untreated it may lead to subungual abscess with pain and inflammation of the nail matrix
the nail may appear discoloured or even distorted (2)
accumulation of pus can cause elevation of the nail plate (1)
recurrent cases may progress into chronic paronychia (1)
Reference:
(1) Rigopoulos D et al. Acute and Chronic Paronychia. Am Fam Physician 2008; 77(3)
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