What term refers to inflammation of the skin at the base of the nail?

What term refers to inflammation of the skin at the base of the nail?

• A. Paronychia
• B. Dermatitis
• C. Eczema
• D. Psoriasis

Answer: (A)

Paronychia is the inflammation that occurs around the nail, specifically at the skin folds near the base of the nail. This term is used to describe irritation and swelling of the surrounding tissue—the area where the cuticle meets the nail and the adjacent nail folds—often with redness, tenderness, and sometimes pus when infected. It’s spot-on for the scenario because it identifies the exact location: the skin at the base of the nail. Dermatitis is a broad term for skin inflammation anywhere on the body, not limited to the nail area. Eczema is a type of dermatitis that describes a chronic, itchy skin condition and isn’t defined by its location at the nail base. Psoriasis can involve nails and cause characteristic changes, but it refers to a systemic inflammatory condition with nail manifestations, not the localized inflammatory condition at the nail base itself.

Paronychia is the inflammation that occurs around the nail, specifically at the skin folds near the base of the nail. This term is used to describe irritation and swelling of the surrounding tissue—the area where the cuticle meets the nail and the adjacent nail folds—often with redness, tenderness, and sometimes pus when infected. It’s spot-on for the scenario because it identifies the exact location: the skin at the base of the nail.

Dermatitis is a broad term for skin inflammation anywhere on the body, not limited to the nail area. Eczema is a type of dermatitis that describes a chronic, itchy skin condition and isn’t defined by its location at the nail base. Psoriasis can involve nails and cause characteristic changes, but it refers to a systemic inflammatory condition with nail manifestations, not the localized inflammatory condition at the nail base itself.