Could paronychia be a fungal infection?

Paronychia is mainly caused by bacterial infection, especially by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, which often enter the perionychial tissue through minor trauma, leading to symptoms including redness, swelling, pain, and even suppuration. Although paronychia is not primarily caused by fungal infection, in some cases fungal infection may coexist. Patients with onychomycosis or athlete's foot may have an increased risk of concurrent fungal infection due to the association of these conditions with fungal etiology. While bacterial infection is the primary cause of paronychia, individual variations and concomitant conditions should also be considered. For suspected cases of paronychia, timely medical consultation is recommended to determine the type of infection through professional diagnosis and to implement appropriate treatment measures.