Onychia is an inflammation of the nail folds with formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds. Paronychia is a nail disease that is often associated with bacterial or fungal infection of the hand or foot where the nail and skin meet at the side or the base of a finger or toenail. Acute paronychia is usually caused by bacteria such as Staphylococci, group A Streptococci, Escerichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is often treated with antibiotics. Chronic paronychia is often caused by a yeast infection of the soft tissues around the nail. Risk factors include repeatedly washing hands and trauma to the cuticle such as may occur from bitting.  Ingrown nail is another disorder, also known as “onychocryptosis” or “unguis incarnates”, is a painful condition of the toe. It occurs when a sharp corner or edge of the toenail digs into the skin at the end of or side of the toe. Onychomadesis is a periodic idiopathic shedding of the nails by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix.