State Board Nail Tech Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Prep Resource

The condition of painful swelling around the nail is known as paronychia. This infection affects the area surrounding the nail, leading to redness, swelling, and often pain. It can occur as a result of bacteria, fungi, or yeast entering through breaks in the skin, commonly due to trauma, improper nail care, or hangnails.

In contrast, onychocryptosis refers specifically to an ingrown nail, typically affecting the toenails and causing pain in the surrounding tissue but not necessarily characterized by swelling. Onychorrhexis describes brittle nails that exhibit longitudinal ridges or splits but does not involve swelling or pain around the nail. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection affecting the nail itself, leading to discoloration and thickening, but it does not typically cause swelling around the nail. Thus, paronychia is the most accurate term for painful swelling around the nail.