Which condition can cause painful swelling around the nail?

• A. Onychomycosis
• B. Aklycotic nail disorder
• C. Paronychia
• D. Pterygium of the nail

Answer: (C)

The condition that causes painful swelling around the nail is paronychia. This condition is an infection of the skin surrounding the nail, leading to inflammation and swelling, which can result in discomfort and pain. Paronychia can be acute or chronic, with the acute form often arising from trauma or injury to the nail area, such as a hangnail or nail-biting, allowing bacteria or fungi to enter the skin. Symptoms generally include redness, swelling, and pus formation, making it distinctly characterized by the painful swelling around the nail.

The other conditions mentioned do not specifically lead to this symptom. For instance, onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the nail itself, causing discoloration and thickening but not swelling of the surrounding skin. An aklycotic nail disorder is a condition often related to a lack of circulation or nutrition to the nail, which doesn’t typically cause swelling. Pterygium of the nail involves abnormal growth of tissue around the nail but is not typically associated with painful swelling. Thus, paronychia is the only option that appropriately describes the painful swelling around the nail area.