Onychia

Onychia is inflammation and infection of the nail and nail bed (matrix).

The most usual cause is injury--either direct injury or pressure from ill-fitting shoes. Skin diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema, may also cause it. Diabetes is a common contributing cause, because of poor blood circulation in the foot and reduced resistance to infection. Insufficient intake of nutrients in the diet (nutritional deficiency) may also be responsible.

The affected toe becomes inflamed, swollen, and painful. Infected material (pus) may drain from the toe into surrounding tissue areas, spreading the infection.

Treatment consists of removing the affected portion of the nail. Often when the nail is removed, the pus drains out. If it does not drain out on its own, a small incision with a scalpel blade helps to drain the pus. The nail is usually partially removed to further help healing. Antibiotics can be taken by mouth or an antibiotic ointment is applied to help cure the infection and astringent soaks, such as with Epsom salts, help to drain the pus and heal the nail. In cases that are not cured with treatment, permanent removal of a portion of or all of the nail growth (surgical matrixectomy) may be necessary.