Chronic paronychia and onycholysis: a thirteen-year experience.

We report here on two retrospective studies conducted between 1982 and 1995 in 137 patients with clinical evidence of chronic paronychia or onycholysis. The purpose of the studies was to determine what factors played a role in these nail disorders. The culture results indicated that yeast commonly grew from the cultured material. Significant contact irritant exposure was frequently found. These findings and our experience suggest that the resolution of chronic paronychia and onycholysis depends on avoiding exposure to contact irritants and on appropriate treatment of any underlying fungal infection. To accomplish this latter goal, it is important to select a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that is effective against yeasts as well as other fungal pathogens.