Paronychia is an infection of the skin around your fingernails and toenails. Bacteria or a type of yeast called Candida typically cause this infection. Bacteria and yeast can even combine in one infection.

Depending on the cause of the infection, paronychia may come on slowly and last for weeks or show up suddenly and last for only one or two days.

The symptoms of paronychia are easy to spot and can usually be easily and successfully treated with little or no damage to the skin and nails. The infection can become severe and even result in a partial or complete loss of the nail if it’s not treated.