Do I Have A Felon Infection?

Do you have swollen and painful fingertip?

Do you have the swelling located in the pad area of your fingertip?

Do you have the swelling that usually develops over several days?

Do you have a throbbing pain in the affected finger?

Do you feel extreme pain when pressure is applied o the "fingerprint" surface?

Do you have red and warmth fingertip?

Do you have the red area on our finger with a visible collection of pus under the skin?

Does the swollen area have a portion that feels soft as if it contains fluid?

Does the affected area become tense or hard to the touch over time (as the swelling continues)?

Do you feel numbness in your fingertip?

Do you feel pain when you try to bend your finger?

Do you have any bony abnormalities in your finger?

Have you had any finger injuries?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a felon infection. A felon is an infection of the pad of the fingertip usually caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. A felon can be also the result of a cut, puncture, scrape, or some other injury. About 15-20 percent of hand infections are felon infections. It most commonly occurs in the index finger or thumb. A felon is often related to a puncture wound. The wound allows bacteria to enter the deep layers of tissue in your finger. A felon can form an enclosed pocket of pus in your finger, which can be very painful.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a felon infection. A felon is a bacterial infection of your finger pad that is characterized by a pocket of pus (or abscess) inside your finger. This pocket of puss can expand and compress blood vessels in your finger leading to impaired circulation and permanent damage to the affected area. A felon can be similar and is sometimes mistaken for a herpes virus infection of the fingers called herpetic whitlow. Your doctor can make a diagnosis by examining the affected finger. If left untreated, a felon infection can spread into the bone.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a felon infection. A felon is a bacterial infection of your fingertip pad usually caused by a penetrating injury. Sometimes, people can get felon after puncturing their fingers with a wood splinter. A felon is a very painful condition and the infection can rapidly spread to the deep tissue of your finger, the underlying bone, joint, or tendons. It must be treated promptly. Treatment includes drainage of the pus and antibiotics. In most cases a felon clears up within a few weeks.