What Are the Common Causes of Pus in the Finger?

Purulent finger inflammation is a subcutaneous purulent infection on the palm of the fingers, mostly caused by stab wounds, and the pathogenic bacteria are mostly Staphylococcus aureus. Purulent finger inflammation can form a high-pressure pus cavity, which can not only cause severe pain, but also compress the nourishing blood vessels of the phalanges, causing ischemia and necrosis of the phalanges. If pus directly invades the phalanges, it can cause osteomyelitis.

Basic Information

Visiting department

General Surgery

Common causes

Increased paronychia or secondary infection after skin injury to fingertips and distal fingers

Common symptoms

Acupuncture-like pain, swelling of tissues, increased pressure, severe pain, etc.

Contagious

no

Causes of Purulent Fingeritis

Usually caused by aggravated paronychia or secondary infections after skin injury to fingertips and fingertips.

Clinical manifestations of purulent fingeritis

1. There is acupuncture-like pain in the fingertips at the beginning, and later the tissue swells, the pressure increases, and the pain is severe.
2. When the finger arteries are compressed, the pain turns into pulsatile throbbing pain, which becomes worse when the affected limb sags. The severe pain makes the patient irritable and sleepless at night.
3. Accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever.
4. In the later period, some patients were paralyzed due to nerve terminal compression and nutritional disorders, but their finger pains were reduced; the local skin was changed from red to white, suggesting that local necrosis may occur, often causing delayed wound healing.

Purulent finger inflammation examination

1. Laboratory blood tests showed that the white blood cell count increased and the neutrophil ratio increased, and pus could be collected to detect the pathogenic bacteria.
2. X-ray examination confirmed the presence of phalanx necrosis. In severe cases, X-ray can show the manifestations of osteomyelitis and dead bone formation.

Diagnosis of purulent finger inflammation

1. Often have a history of stabbing or crush injuries to the fingers.
2. The palm of the fingers is swollen, with the appearance of a "snake-like shape", with severe jumping pain, which becomes worse when the hand is sagging; the palm is red and swollen, hard and obviously tender, and the local fluctuation is not obvious.
3. In severe cases, X-rays can show the manifestations of osteomyelitis and dead bone formation.
4. Fingers are pale when pressure is high.
5. Accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and general discomfort.

Purulent Fingeritis Treatment

1. The affected hand is raised, braked, and fully rested. Locally available physical therapy such as hot compresses or warm water baths.
2. Give a sedative or analgesic.
3. Give antibiotics, usually with penicillins or other commonly used antibiotics.
4. Cut drainage and cut pressure as soon as possible.
5. Postoperatively fixed in functional position, suspended by sling.
6. Immediately after infection control, practice automatic or passive activities to prevent ankylosis of the knuckles.

Prognosis of purulent finger inflammation

If treated promptly and properly, the prognosis is generally good.

Purulent finger inflammation prevention

1. Immediately after the finger is injured by a sharp object, rinse the wounded area with water, and squeeze the finger hard to promote bleeding, so that the germs flow out with the blood. Then rub the wound with iodine and wrap it with a sterile dressing to prevent wound contamination.
2. When the fingers are red and slightly painful, do a local hot compress. Soak your fingers in a cup of warm water for about 20 minutes.
3. If the tenderness of the fingers is obvious and the pain is severe, go to the hospital for incision and drainage as soon as possible. Although abscesses have not yet formed on the infected part of the finger, incision and drainage can prevent ischemic necrosis of the phalanx.