Differential Diagnosis for Infected Wound from Nail Clipping

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Paronychia: This is an infection of the skin around the nail, which can occur after nail clipping, especially if the nail was cut too short or if the clippers were not clean. The infection is usually caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, which can spread from the initial site of infection around the nail. It's characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.
  • Folliculitis: An infection of the hair follicles, which can occur in the area around the nail if the skin is broken during clipping, allowing bacteria to enter.
  • Onychomycosis: A fungal infection of the nail itself, which might not be directly caused by nail clipping but could be exacerbated by poor hygiene or trauma to the nail area.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Osteomyelitis: A bone infection that could occur if the infection from the nail area spreads to the bone. This is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term damage.
  • Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Any sign of systemic infection (fever, chills, tachycardia, etc.) should prompt consideration of sepsis.
  • Endocarditis: Although rare, if the patient has a pre-existing heart condition, there's a risk that bacteria from the infected wound could enter the bloodstream and infect the heart valves.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Erysipelas: A type of skin infection that involves the upper dermis, typically caused by Streptococcus bacteria. It's characterized by a well-demarcated, raised, and shiny area of redness.
  • Gas Gangrene: A severe and potentially life-threatening infection caused by Clostridium perfringens, characterized by gas production in the tissues, which could occur in severe cases of wound infection.