Finger infections can be quite painful and often debilitating. Unfortunately, finger infections are also extremely common. There are several different types of finger infections like those caused by an ingrown fingernail. Each fingernail infection requires a different kind of treatment. If you have a swollen finger infection, for instance, the finger infection treatment will be different from an infection around the fingernail. Each of the finger infections has their own distinct signs and symptoms, so you can easily identify the infection that is causing you the discomfort. If not properly evaluated, finger infections can be quite confusing and very difficult to deal with. Here are some common finger and fingernail infections along with their specific symptoms.
This is a condition in which the infection is around the fingernail. The area right next to the nail begins to appear red in color and might be swollen as well. Additionally, there may be the appearance of pus right under the nail. If there is a wound, the pus may begin to collect in it. The area is tender and drains an off-white colored liquid. Although it is recommended that you consult a doctor if you are experiencing paronychia, paronychia treatment at home is also possible. Paronychia home treatment involves soaking the swollen, affected finger in lukewarm water with salt. Instead of salt, you can also add some tea tree oil to the water. This allows any infection in the finger to heal.
This is a condition in which the fingertip becomes extremely swollen and painful. The swelling usually develops over a few days and the fingertip remains painful and tender. You may experience a burning and itching sensation in the fingertips. This condition is usually caused due to open wounds or blister-like wounds. This condition too can be treated by soaking your fingers in warm water.
This is a common condition in which there is infection deep within the skin. The affected area appears slightly swollen and tender. The area will also be warm to the touch. Since this a deep infection inside the skin, treatment is usually a course of antibiotics. It is best to get this checked by a doctor.
An ingrown nail is usually a very common complaint. This may be caused due to a structural defect of the toes, a fungal infection, or an injury. There are several ingrown toenail remedies that can be used at home itself. However, if the ingrown nail has occurred due to a fingernail infection, ingrown fingernail or toenail treatment should be received from a doctor. The treatment for an ingrown toenail may be the surgical removal of the toenail. An effective ingrown toenail cure practiced at home may involve soaking the toe in warm water with tea tree oil and then cutting of the nail with a small nail cutter. For ingrown fingernails or toenails treatment, attacking the symptoms is the best remedy. If there is fingernail pain due to the ingrown nail, soaking it in warm water may temporarily cause a relief from the symptoms. The best ingrown toenail remedy, however, would involve the permanent treatment of an ingrown toenail.
This is a swollen finger infection in which the fingertip becomes swollen and tender. This condition is usually caused due to an infection, usually fungal or bacterial. Small lesions on the fingertips may crop up and these are usually filled with a clear liquid. You may also have a slightly low grade fever along with swelling in the fingertip as well as swollen lymph nodes. Garlic, which is a natural antibacterial and can also be used for ingrown toenails treatment, is a great fingernail infection treatment. If the lymph nodes keep swelling, you may have to get yourself checked by a doctor.
There are certain microorganisms that may bury deep into the skin causing infections in the layers deeper than the epidermis. Such infections can be extremely painful and may not be treatable using home remedies. Such finger infection treatment requires that you visit a doctor and get yourself tested. In the meantime, soaking your finger in warm water with a few drops of tea tree oil can help in clearing any superficial infections. If the webs of your fingers are also infected and you can experience pain in them, it can be a cause of concern, and it is best if you rush to a doctor immediately to stop the infection from spreading.
Some of the other home remedies for general pain in the finger or fungal infections are as follows:
What can I do for my red and swollen fingers around nail?
The symptoms you have described sound typical of an infection called paronychia. This condition causes the skin around a nail to swell up and turn red. You may also experience a ‘warm’ feeling and some tenderness. If your finger developed the swelling suddenly, you probably have acute paronychia, which is caused by a bacterial infection. The main cause of this form of infection is due to broken skin possibly due to aggressive manicuring or biting. If the infection developed slowly, it could be chronic paronychia, which is cased by a fungal infection. This condition is usually observed in people whose hands are exposed to water and chemical solvents. In both cases, you will be able to successfully treat the condition at home and find relief from the discomfort. However, if the condition persists for a few days or if you notice any pus, please do visit your doctor.
The simplest home remedy for paronychia is to soak the affected finger. You can use plain warm water and soak for up to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. Adding some tea tree oil to the water is also recommended, since this essential oil has natural antibacterial, fungicidal, and disinfectant properties. In case your symptoms resemble that of chronic paronychia, you should get some grapefruit seed extract. This natural product has a good record of treating human fungal infections. You can make a paste and apply it directly on the affected finger or choose to ingest it by mixing it in water. Note that in the liquid form, grapefruit seed extract has a bitter taste, so you may want to add some honey.
For acute paronychia, garlic is an excellent choice since it contains a very potent natural antibacterial agent called allacin. In addition, allacin also helps to stimulate immunity and helps to boost your body’s own healing process. The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic can also help to reduce the swelling and provide you relief. For topical treatment, crush a few cloves of garlic, place them on the affected area, and tie with a clean cloth. You can leave the crushed garlic in place for an hour at a time. However, garlic has a strong odor, so you may want ingest the cloves instead. Note that raw garlic is much more potent than cooked. Another natural remedy involves honey and cinnamon powder. Having a spoonful twice a day can boost your immune system and strengthen the white blood cells that combat the infection.