Candida paronychia
Candida paronychia is an occupational disease of workers who do wet work with their hands. It is caused by the fungi, Candida albicans.
CASES/YEAR
16,182 (US); 323,640 (Global)
AGENT TYPE
Fungi (Pathogenic Yeasts)
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
Inflammation of skin next to fingernails;
COMMENTS
Workers who do wet work (cannery workers, bartenders, dishwashers, and food handlers) or who wear occlusive gloves for prolonged periods (dental, healthcare, and semiconductor clean room workers) are at increased risk for this skin infection. Patients with AIDS, neutropenia, and diabetes have a higher risk of infection because of impaired immunity. [CCDM, p. 90; Marks, p. 281; LaDou, p. 289] "The nail fold is painful and red as in acute paronychia, but there is almost never pus accumulation." [Merck Manual, p. 1055]
DIAGNOSTIC
Gram stain, KOH prep, and culture; [PPID, p. 3092]
ENTRY
Skin or Mucous Membranes (Includes Conjunctiva)
RISK FACTORS
- AIDS patients
- Cancer patients
- Work continuously with wet hands
TREATMENT
Usually responds to modifying occupational factors, drainage, and topical antifungals with systemic therapy reserved for recalcitrant cases; Itraconazole is effective against candidal onychomycosis. [Guerrant, p. 591]
REFERENCES FOR CASES/YEAR
1. (US) Using the figures for onychomycosis and a study that found that about 6% of nail infections were caused by Candida spp.: 6% X 269,700 = 16,182 (US); [PMID 17377354]
2. (Global) 20 X US cases/yr;