Which condition is very contagious and requires medical advice?

• A. Fungal infection.
• B. Paronychia.
• C. Onycholysis.
• D. Onychia.

Answer: (D)

Infections that involve the nail base and can spread easily are the ones that require medical input. Onychia is an infection of the nail matrix at the base of the nail. It causes redness, swelling, and sometimes pus, and it can spread through contact with infected material or contaminated tools. Because it’s an active infection, medical advice is needed to confirm the diagnosis and start appropriate treatment to prevent spreading and complications. The other conditions differ: a fungal nail infection is contagious but tends to progress more slowly and is treated with antifungals; paronychia involves the skin around the nail but isn’t the same as a matrix infection; onycholysis is lifting of the nail plate from the bed and isn’t infectious. So the nail matrix infection best fits the description of being very contagious and requiring medical advice.