A 28-year-old male dishwasher presents with pain and swellin…
A 28-year-old male dishwasher presents with pain and swelling around his right middle fingernail that has worsened since onset one week ago. He has had no prior episodes and is concerned about what he might have been exposed to at work. On examination, the mediolateral nail fold is erythematous, swollen, and tender. He has no other symptoms (he specifically denies fever), and there are no other findings on examination. Which of the following statements regarding this condition is true?