1. An infection or inflammation of the tissue around a fingernail or toenail.
Usage: Medical term; commonly seen in clinical and health contexts.

Examples

• The patient developed paronychia after a manicure went wrong.
• Paronychia can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or irritation from water exposure.
• She noticed redness and swelling around her thumbnail, which turned out to be paronychia.
• Chronic paronychia is often seen in people whose hands are frequently wet.
• The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the acute paronychia infection.
• Keeping nails dry and avoiding nail trauma can help prevent paronychia.