[2][3][4] Risk factors for paronychia include frequent hand washing and trauma to the cuticle, such as from chronic nail biting or hangnails.

[12] Acute paronychia is an infection of the folds of tissue surrounding the nail of a finger or, less commonly, a toe, lasting less than six weeks.

[14]: 339 Chronic paronychia is an infection of the folds of tissue surrounding the nail of a finger or, less commonly, a toe, lasting more than six weeks.

[4] It is a nail disease prevalent in individuals whose hands or feet are subject to moist local environments, and is often due to contact dermatitis.

[15]: 343  It can be the result of dish washing, finger sucking, aggressively trimming the cuticles, or frequent contact with chemicals (mild alkalis, acids, etc.).

In patients failing topical treatment or more severe cases, oral antibiotics are an option; dicloxacillin or cephalexin can be used.

Indications for antibiotics with anaerobic coverage include patients where a concern exists for oral inoculation; this would require the addition of clindamycin or amoxicillin-clavulanate.

Usually, they affect manual-labor workers or people in occupations that require them to have their hands or feet submerged in water for prolonged periods (e.g., dishwashers).