If you have small bubble-like cysts on the skin, called vesicles, and repeated episodes, it is likely the cause is herpetic whitlow. If the infection is actually a herpetic whitlow rather than a felon, drainage is not performed because it may delay healing or increase the risk of bacterial infection. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice: Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Be safe with medicines. Felons almost always need to be opened and drained by a doctor before they can heal. A felon is a fingertip abscess deep in the palm side of the finger.

He or she will ask whether you have had an injury in the area.

Try to keep the area above the level of your heart. Infection in a finger, if treated, should begin to heal in a few days and should be completely resolved in a week or two. Felons caused by bacterial infections are curable with drainage and antibiotic treatment. An infection of the pad of the finger is called a felon. Sometimes it can spread into the bone. There may be an accumulation of a white, thick discharge (pus). If you have this or any skin or wound infection, make sure you are up-to-date with your tetanus vaccinations. Infections are a common disorder and are produced by bacteria. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases The finger is made up of several small areas of tissue. Felons are usually treated with minor surgery to allow drainage. It is important to get treatment quickly for felons when they are small.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. Antibiotics may be changed if the infection does not clear up promptly or if testing of the pus indicates that the infection is caused by an unusual organism or one that is resistant to the usual antibiotics. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. This can lead to a more serious infection, called osteomyelitis, which takes much longer to cure. A felon causes extreme pain at the fingertip, especially when pressure is applied to the "fingerprint" surface. You also may soak your finger in warm water. Available for Android and iOS devices. People with diabetes who prick their fingers for home blood tests should first wipe the fingertip with alcohol.

This is sometimes done in an operating room. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. Your doctor can usually diagnose a felon just by examining it. Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). If you are going to work with wood or other materials that could cause splinters, wear protective gloves. Then the infection can spread deeper into the finger. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. All rights reserved. A narrow gauze strip may be left in the wound to hold it open for continued drainage. Select one or more newsletters to continue. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. The wound allows the introduction of … You may cover the wound with a non-stick bandage. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. If your doctor told you how to care for your wound, follow your doctor's instructions. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. A painful bump on the end of a finger that is sometimes mistaken for a felon is a herpes virus infection that forms a herpetic whitlow. Complications are rare and usually can be prevented with prompt diagnosis and treatment. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. Your doctor may ask you to remove the gauze. Typically, your doctor will make the whole finger numb by injecting an anesthetic once into each side of your finger, just beyond the knuckle of the hand.

Because of the complications that can occur from a felon, you should see your doctor and go to an emergency room for immediate care if you develop sudden or severe pain or swelling in a finger. As the felon increases, the fingertip may feel numb, and bending the finger may be painful. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Oct 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 1 Oct 2020), Wolters Kluwer™ (updated 30 Sep 2020) and others. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. http://www.idsociety.org/. Because finger infections have the potential to become severe, home care is limited.

Your finger may be painful and red. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled.

The prognosis is excellent. A finger infection can happen after a cut, a scrape, a puncture, or some other injury. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Sometimes the cause isn't known. The gauze may need to be replaced every day or two as it absorbs bacteria and debris from inside the wound. Treating a Finger Infection at Home. Go to your follow-up appointments to have the gauze changed or removed. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if: Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as acyclovir (Zovirax) or valacyclovir (Valtrex), which may help speed recovery. Tenderness, redness, firmness and enlargement of the fingertip are all signs of a felon. Herpes infections in the finger tend to clear up on their own. Healing may be faster with aggressive treatment. The finger is made up of several small areas of tissue. An infection inside the tip of the finger can form an enclosed pocket of pus (or abscess) that is very painful as it expands. Prop up your hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days.

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