"American Idol" fans are aflutter over the news flash that judge Paula Abdul has been fighting a festering finger nail infection. Abdul has actually testified to a government panel about what one reporter has called a "flesh-eating fungus." We saw flesh-eating bacteria in "Requiem for a Dream" and there was a case of a flesh-eating virus in the horror flick, "Cabin Fever." But flesh eating fungus? Actually, this phrase is merely the writer's invention, a description as over the top as Abdul's relentlessly positive compliments during "Idol" performances. No, the appropriate name for the ongoing swollen infection that Abdul described is "paronychia." Whether due to bacteria or yeast, this pesky problem can be as naggingly chronic as William Hung's singing career, and almost as painful. While Abdul is convinced that she caught the infection at a nail salon, many develop this problem merely by removal of the cuticle, the firm tissue that attaches the overlying skin to the nail itself. Without this seal, germs collect around the nail and the inflammation ignites. Moisturizers, and topical antibiotic and anti-yeast creams can restore the seal and kick the infection. Now if fellow judge Randy Jackson would just stop saying "dude"...
P.S. A special skinema award to any of you out there who can forward an image of Abdul wearing the thumb bandage that she sported during the last few episodes of this season's "AI."
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