How do Nail-Fold Infections Develop?

Nail fold infections are best understood by considering the anatomy of the nail. The nail is composed of a keratinized nail plate which lies upon a vascular nail bed. The nail plate keratin is formed by the germinal nail matrix which is at the proximal end of the nail bed.

The nail plate is enclosed at its base by the proximal nail fold, and by the lateral nail folds at both sides. The proximal nail fold has two layers, of which the upper layer is above the nail plate and the lower layer below it.

The upper layer continues as the cuticle, binding the nail plate firmly and impenetrably to the skin just behind it. This cuticular seal prevents moisture and microbes from entering the potential space between the nail plate and the nail fold.

Causes of Nail Fold Infection                                      

Nail fold infection, also called paronychia, is a common condition that occurs when the skin fold at the proximal end of the nail is invaded by bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. Risk factors for such an infection include:

• Constant exposure to moisture
• Cutting back the cuticles too much
• Biting the nails
• The presence of any inflammatory or allergic skin condition near the nails

Such processes either cause trauma to the skin, or lower the effectiveness of the normal skin barrier to microbes.

Individuals who are occupationally forced to spend much time with their hands in water, detergents or other chemicals are at a higher risk of developing nail fold infection. This category includes bartenders, janitors, homemakers and housemaids, and dishwashers. The presence of constant moisture damages the skin and makes it easy to tear or puncture it, allowing microbes easier entrance. In addition, moisture encourages the growth of fungi, leading to fungal infection of the nail and the nail bed.

Injury to the nail bed or the skin near the nails also breaks down the natural defenses offered by the skin and increases the likelihood of infection. This is especially so if the person is immunocompromised or diabetic. Thus biting or tearing off a hangnail is often associated with the development of paronychia because of the extension of the tear into healthy skin or into the nail bed, which predisposes one to infection.

Nail biting offers special conditions for infections of the nail folds because it not only produces trauma but also introduces bacteria from the mouth into the wound. This includes staphylococcus, streptococcus, pseudomonas and Gram-negative organisms, as well as fungi.

Eczema of the skin around the fingernails is also an invitation for secondary fungal or bacterial infection because of the broken skin and the moist conditions.

Constantly covering the nails is also bad for nail health. For instance, using sculptured (artificial) nails over your own nails cuts off the circulation of air from the area around them, encouraging infection. Similar is the case with prolonged use of plastic or vinyl gloves which trap moisture and restrict air entry around the nails.

Progress of Infection

Once the infection has become established, it often produces pus. The pus can form a pocket, called an abscess. In other cases the pus may spread around the nail to produce other abscesses at the side of the nail. It may creep under the nail plate to form more pus between the nail bed and the nail plate, separating the two altogether or in part. In other patients, secondary fungal infection sets in because of the inflammatory conditions.

As the nail fold infection becomes more chronic, it gives rise to altered growth of the nail plate. This results in thickening or discoloration, or the formation of ridges and depressions on the nail. Other nails may also become infected by the spread of the organism to other fingers.

References

• https://medlineplus.gov/naildiseases.html
• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/nails-fingernail-and-toenail-problems
• http://patient.info/in/health/paronychia-leaflet
• http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0315/p1113.html#sec-1

Further Reading

• All Nails Content
• Beau’s Lines
• Nail Discoloration – Green, Blue, Black, White or Yellow, Why ?
• Types of Nail Disease
• Bacterial Nail Infections

Written by

Dr. Liji Thomas

Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.