Paronychia. Huh, what is that?

After all these years, I only realise there is something called paronychia. It is a bacterial infection surrounding the nails. It is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. I had this infection from time to time throughout my life without realising it is actually a bacterial infection. I always have the habit of peeling some skin from the nail groove or the eponychium. As a result, the skin surrounding the area will swell.

Often, paronychia will heal on its own but I have read scary stories from the Internet concerning serious paronychia infection.

Now, I would want to think twice before I start peeling my skin or hangnail surrounding my nails.