The inflammation can be bacterial or fungal and is not contagious. Pain or tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling of tissue adjacent to the fingernail. Central whitish area produced by pus. No pain, warmth, itching or pus. The infecting germ is usually Staphylococcus.
Fungal paronychia is caused by a fungus or yeast infection.
Leave hangnails alone. Avoid fingertip injury. Your own observation of symptoms. If abscesses present, may require incision and drainage. Bacterial paronychia is curable with treatment in 2 weeks.