Fingertip Infection

What is Fingertip Infection

Fingertip Infection are of two main types:

  • Paronychia. This is an infection that happens around your nail. This type of infection can start suddenly in one nail or occur gradually over time and affect more than one nail. Long-term (chronic) paronychia can make your fingernails thick and deformed.
  • Felon. This is a bacterial infection in the padded tip of your finger. Felon infection can cause a painful collection of pus (abscess) to form inside your fingertip. If the infection is not treated, the infection can spread as deep as the bone.

What are the causes?

Paronychia infection can be caused by bacteria, funguses, or a mix of both. Felon infection is usually caused by the bacteria that are normally found on your skin. An infection can develop if the bacteria spread through your skin to the pad of tissue inside your fingertip.

What increases the risk?

A fingertip infection is more likely to develop in people:

  • Who have diabetes.
  • Who have a weak body defense (immune) system.
  • Who work with their hands.
  • Whose hands are exposed to moisture, chemicals, or irritants for long periods of time.
  • Who have poor circulation.
  • Who bite, chew, or pick their fingernails.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of paronychia may affect one or more fingernails and include:

  • Pain, swelling, and redness around the nail.
  • Pus-filled pockets at the base or side of the fingernail (cuticle).
  • Thick fingernails that separate from the nail bed.
  • Pus that drains from the nail bed.

Symptoms of felon usually affect just one fingertip pad and include:

  • Severe, throbbing pain.
  • Redness.
  • Swelling.
  • Warmth.
  • Tenderness when the affected fingertip is touched.

How is this diagnosed?

A fingertip infection is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. If there is pus draining from the infection, it may be swabbed and sent to the lab for a culture. An X-ray may be done to see if the infection has spread to the bone.

How is this treated?

Treatment for a fingertip infection may include:

  • Warm water or salt–water soaks several times per day.
  • Antibiotic medicine. This may be an ointment or pills.
  • Steroid ointment.
  • Antifungal pills.
  • Drainage of pus pockets. This is done by making a surgical cut (incision) to open the fingertip to drain pus.
  • Wearing gloves to protect your nails.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed antibiotic medicine, take or apply it as told by your health care provider. Do notstop using the antibiotic even if your condition improves.

Wound care

  • Clean the infected area each day with warm water or salt water, or as told by your health care provider.
    • Gently wash the infected area with mild soap and water.
    • Rinse the infected area with water to remove all soap.
    • Pat the infected area dry with a clean towel. Do notrub it.
    • To make a salt–water mixture, completely dissolve ½–1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about:
    • How to take care of the infection.
    • When and how you should change your bandage (dressing).
    • When you should remove your dressing.
  • Check the infected area every day for more signs of infection. Watch for:
    • More redness, swelling, or pain.
    • More fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • A bad smell.

General instructions

  • Keep the dressing dry until your health care provider says it can be removed. Do nottake baths, swim, use a hot tub, or do anything that would put your wound underwater until your health care provider approves.
  • Raise (elevate) the infected area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down or as told by your health care provider.
  • Do notscratch or pick at the infection.
  • Wear gloves as told by your health care provider, if this applies.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

  • Wear gloves when you work with your hands.
  • Wash your hands often with antibacterial soap.
  • Avoid letting your hands stay wet or irritated for long periods of time.
  • Do notbite your fingernails. Do notpull on your cuticles. Do notsuck on your fingers.
  • Use clean scissors or nail clippers to trim your nails. Do notcut your fingernails very short.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your pain medicine is not helping.
  • You have more redness, swelling, or pain at your fingertip.
  • You continue to have fluid, blood, or pus coming from your fingertip.
  • Your infection area feels warm to the touch.
  • You continue to notice a bad smell coming from your fingertip or your dressing.

Get help right away if:

  • The area of redness is spreading, or you notice a red streak going away from your fingertip.
  • You have a fever.
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