Pus on the finger

definition

A purulent inflammation on the finger in most cases results from an injury or a wound on the finger on which an infection settles.
Pus itself is made up of white blood cells and other immune cells in the body that are produced by infection or the presence of pathogens (Pathogens) get dressed by. They attach themselves to the appropriate place to prevent the infection or pathogens from spreading.
The pus can occur locally on the upper and lower skin layers or on the nail bed and the surrounding nail wall. Purulent inflammation also includes when the bones, tendons or joints are affected.

causes

The causes of pus on the finger, in most cases, are not severe or major injuries.
Small wounds in the area of ​​the nail are enough for bacteria or other pathogens to settle. In addition to injuries from splinters or other foreign bodies that get into the skin, problems with the fingernail and the nail fold are also often a cause. More critical causes are tendinitis, phlegmon or inflammation of the bone, which can also lead to the formation of pus.

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Ingrown fingernail

An ingrown fingernail can be very painful and lead to the formation of pus on the finger.
Uncontrolled waxing or incorrect cutting of the fingernail can cause it to grow into the lateral nail wall. The lateral nail fold can also widen so that it overgrows the nail from the side. The problem with the fingernails is often that those affected file the nails too far down, too narrow, and thus the nail fold grows over the nail edge. This can lead to the fact that pathogens settle and inflammation occurs.
The appearance of an ingrown nail is common on the toes and is mostly due to incorrectly cutting the nails or wearing unsuitable and tight footwear.

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Inflammation of the nail bed

If there is inflammation of the nail bed on the finger, there may be visible accumulations of pus under the nail and on the edges of the nail.
In the case of uncomplicated nail bed inflammation, this is rather untypical. There is redness, swelling and overheating. If pus has formed on the finger and treatment with home remedies and non-prescription ointments is unsuccessful, then the family doctor should be consulted to prevent aggravation and spread.

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• Inflammation of the nail bed on the finger
• Treatment of inflammation of the nail bed

Concomitant symptoms

Accompanying symptoms of pus on the finger are the typical signs of inflammation.
There is reddening due to the increased blood flow. The increased blood flow and the inflammatory process also cause the tissue to overheat. Furthermore, there is swelling and restriction of normal mobility.

Pain

Depending on the wound or inflammation, pus on or in the finger can cause uncomfortable pain.
Purulent inflammations on the nail bed, tendons or even the bones are very painful. If only a minor injury has occurred, which after several days causes disproportionate pain not only locally, then a doctor must be consulted as soon as possible. In this case, the inflammation could have spread through various soft tissue structures to other parts of the hand.

Redness

If there is pus on or in the finger, there is almost always reddening as well. This is based on the ongoing inflammatory process.
The reddening should be limited to the local area where the pus can be seen. When the redness spreads over the entire finger and affects the hand, there is no longer just a small localized purulent sore or inflammation. An infection has spread and spread to other soft tissue structures in the fingers and hand. Phlegmon is a dangerous complication. This means the spread of germs and the infection that has been triggered via the tendon sheaths.

Pus bladder

A pus bladder is a collection of pus in a confined space.
This pus blister can sit on the skin as an appendage, or lie in deeper skin and tissue layers. If there is a pus bladder, it is important that the pus is drained. This should be done under sterile or at least hygienic conditions if possible. Piercing or cutting with needles, scissors or other household items should be avoided as this could spread further germs into the wound. If you do not see yourself able to open the pus bladder in a hygienic environment, the treating doctor should be consulted.

You can get more information about this: Boils on the finger

diagnosis

If there is pus on or in the finger, the diagnosis is usually made as a visual diagnosis.
The person concerned often comes to the doctor treating him with a corresponding abnormality on the finger. This can conclude from the described and visible symptom constellations that there is a purulent inflammatory process on the finger. Another step in the diagnosis is also a therapeutic intervention; namely the opening of a visible pus vesicle.
With smaller amounts of pus on the finger, the diagnosis is complete here. If there is a more critical inflammation or suppuration, a microbiological smear can be taken to determine the pathogen spectrum.

treatment

The treatment of pus on or in the finger depends heavily on the amount of pus or the exact location of the inflammation and its cause. Are there only small superficial collections of pus, e.g. in the area of ​​the nail or fingertip, an opening and antiseptic treatment is carried out by the doctor. Usually an anti-inflammatory ointment is also prescribed and it is pointed out that if it does not heal, the patient should be presented again. However, if the pus is not only present on the finger - i.e. externally - but also in deeper structures, antibiotics often have to be treated locally or systemically. For example, if the nail bed is inflamed, parts of the nail may be removed under local anesthesia. If the infection has already spread to a tendon or bone, surgery must be taken. Tissue may have to be removed and the wound left open for several days to heal. With more extensive inflammation of the bone (Osteomyelitis), partial or amputations of the finger must be carried out at most. This extreme case cannot be assumed with a simple and superficial accumulation of pus on the finger.

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ointment

In the area of ​​superficial pus inflammation on the finger, a lot can be worked with locally effective ointments. It is not absolutely necessary to use ointments containing antibiotics. The Ilon ointment, for example, is based on natural herbs and plants. This can be obtained from the pharmacy without a prescription. Applying it several times a day to the accumulation of pus on the finger fights inflammation and accelerates healing. Another useful ointment would be an iodine preparation (e.g. Betaisodona®). Another group are the train ointments. These are based on sulfonated shale oil (Ammonium bituminosulfonate) as an active ingredient. This also has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, there is also a softening and opening of the purulent area, and the drainage of the pus is supported.

Which home remedies can help?

In addition to treatment by a doctor, home remedies can also be used for pus on the finger.
However, it is crucial that the inflammation is not underestimated and, in the worst case, spreads. Therefore, if a complication is suspected, a doctor should be consulted. Hand baths can help with minor inflammations. These can be done as hot baths with curd soap. The corresponding hand is held in the bath for a few minutes (approx. 10-15 minutes) up to three times a day.
In addition to the curd soap, other additives from the medicine cabinet can be added. These include, for example, tea tree oil, chamomile tea or a Rivanol solution. Oak tree bark is also considered antibacterial and is often called a good additive. Rosemary, thyme and eucalyptus can also be added to a hand bath. Arnica preparations are also often found in the medicine cabinet - these also help with local healing. From the field of homeopathy you will also find various approaches to treat pus on the finger.

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Which doctor treats this?

As a rule, pus on and in the finger can be treated by a regular family doctor. Depending on the cause and the precise location of the inflammatory process, this can be conservative or, on a smaller scale, operative.
If the family doctor himself is not active in the operation or the procedure exceeds the possibilities of the practice, a referral can be made to a regular surgeon. As a further option, a hand surgeon can also be involved.

Duration

Purulent inflammation on the finger should usually subside within a few days. If there is a complication of the inflammation, e.g. If it spreads into deeper layers of the tissue, it can take several weeks or even months for complete healing to be achieved. One factor that shortens the duration is the early drainage of the pus. This should be done professionally in order to prevent a prolongation of the duration due to a renewed colonization.