What term refers to the inflammation of the skin surrounding the nail plate?

The term that refers to the inflammation of the skin surrounding the nail plate is paronychia. This condition occurs when the area around the nail becomes infected or inflamed, often due to a bacterial or fungal infection. Symptoms typically include redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes pus formation in the affected area.

Onychomadesis refers to the separation and shedding of the nail from the nail bed, which is a different condition. Perionychia can sometimes be used interchangeably with paronychia, but it is less commonly utilized in clinical settings. Agnail, or hangnail, describes a small piece of skin that tears away from the side of the nail, causing discomfort but does not necessarily involve inflammation of the surrounding area.

Therefore, paronychia is the most accurate term to describe the inflammation surrounding the nail plate.