All of the following describe possible causes of paronychia except:

• A. Systemic disease
• B. Bacterial infection around the nail
• C. Nail trauma
• D. Poor hygiene

Answer: (A)

Paronychia is a localized infection and inflammation of the nail folds caused by microbes entering through breaks in the skin around the nail. It most directly arises from local factors that allow infection to take hold: bacterial invasion around the nail is a classic cause, often after nail trauma or manicure injuries that create a portal for organisms. Poor hygiene can also contribute by increasing microbial exposure and moisture, which promote infection in the surrounding tissue. Systemic disease is not a direct cause of paronychia; it may weaken overall immunity or healing, but the infection itself stems from local conditions near the nail rather than a systemic condition.