What is the term for inflammation of the tissue around the nail plate?

Paronychia refers specifically to the inflammation of the tissue surrounding the nail plate. It is often caused by infections, which can result from bacteria or fungi infiltrating the skin around the nail. Symptoms typically include redness, swelling, and pain, and can sometimes lead to the formation of pus.

The other terms mentioned do not describe this condition accurately. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the nail itself rather than the surrounding tissue. A hangnail is a small piece of skin that separates from the cuticle, which can sometimes become painful or inflamed but is not the same as paronychia. A felon is an infection of the fingertip pad, which is a deeper tissue infection and is characterized by swelling and intense pain, but again, it pertains to a different area than the tissue around the nail plate. Thus, paronychia clearly captures the specific condition of inflammation around the nail.