(also dactylitis), an acute purulent inflammation of a digit, most often a finger. The principal cause is infection of a microtrauma, such as a hangnail, puncture, or abrasion. Panaritium may be superficial, affecting cutaneous or subcutaneous tissue or tissue beneath the nail, or deep, affecting tendon, bone, or joint. A special form of panaritium is paronychia— inflammation of the tissue folds surrounding the nail. Inflammation of all the tissues of the digit is called pandactylitis. The symptoms of panaritium are severe, pulsating, twitching pain that deprives the patient of sleep; swelling; redness; and soreness of the suppurative focus. Treatment is surgical. In the early stages of superficial panaritium, conservative measures, such as compresses, baths, and physiotherapy, are helpful. In other cases, immediate surgery is advisable.