clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

Clinical features can be divided into 3 stages:

  • stage I:
    • there is pain, swelling, and erythema and hyperhidrosis of the affected toe
  • stage II:
    • a draining abscess with discharge together with further erythema, oedema, hyperhidrosis, and tenderness
  • stage III:
    • development of hypertrophic granulation tissue, which covers the epithelial lining and inhibits drainage. This results in chronic infection and hypertrophy of the nail wall (1).

Differential:

  • paronychia - the site of infection in paronychia is generally proximal. Rarely paronychia may be accompanied by granulation tissue. Sometimes there may be a very localised head of pus on the distal side of the nail

Reference: