International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences

Paronychia is inflammation of the fingers or toes in one or more of the three nail folds. Acute Paronychia is the most common hand infection occurs in the subcuticular area under the eponychium. Minor injury to the finger is common cause. Those who bite their nails and those who suck their thumb are susceptible to this infection. It is also commonly noted along with diabetes, psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders. Suppuration occurs very rapidly which tracks around the skin margin and spreads under the nail causing hang nails or floating nails. Severe throbbing pain and tenderness. Nail on touch is very tender. Organisms involved in acute paronychia are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogen. Chronic Paronychia is due to fungal infection Moniliasis or Candida albicans infection. Commonly seen in females then males by a ratio of three to one. Middle-aged females are at the highest risk of infection. Nail is diseased with ridges and pigmentation. Itching in the nail bed, recurrent pain and discharge. Common irritants include acids, alkalis, and other chemicals used by housekeepers, dishwashers, bartenders, florists, bakers, and swimmers. Homoeopathy plays a major role in treating and curing Paronychia from the root. Individualised Homoeopathic medicines based on symptom similarity are found to be more effective than conventional medicine. Homoeopathy cures the disease by raising the immune power against that disease and prevent the recurrence.