Abstract
Chronic paronychia is an inflammatory disorder that usually involves fingernails of adult women, affecting the proximal and/or lateral nail folds. It is a multifactorial disorder and, depending on the major etiological factor, can be classified into different types that will be discussed in this review. Besides the use of drugs, management of chronic paronychia requires avoidance of wet environments, chronic microtraumas and contact with irritants or allergens for at least 1-2 months after the cuticle has been restored and the condition has resolved. Clinical appearance of the periungual tissues and nails are important guidelines for treatment.