A felon finger infection (also known as a felon or felon finger) is a painful infection in the fleshy part of your fingertip. This area is called the distal digital pulp. The infection can form a pocket of pus (abscess) within your fingertip. A felon can take over the pad of your fingertip and the soft tissues surrounding it.
Hand infections near the surface of your skin (superficial) are more common than deep infections. Felons and nail infections (paronychias) are the most common hand infections. Almost one-third of hand infections are felons and paronychias.
The most common location of felon finger infections is in the first and second fingers of your hand. Your fingertips contain closed-up sections of fibrous membranes. When you get a felon finger infection, it begins to swell and throb because it’s trapped within these membranes.
Felon finger is a bacterial infection. When you injure or irritate your fingertip, you create a small opening in your skin. Bacteria can enter this break in your skin, where they can grow and multiply. This can create a felon. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus are the most common bacteria that lead to felons.
Felon finger infections are usually caused by minor injuries to your finger pads. These injuries can include:
The signs and symptoms of a felon finger include redness and warmth in your fingertip. You may also experience:
A felon finger will look red and swollen. You may notice a red bump on the tip of your finger. Later, a pus-filled bump may appear.
Your healthcare provider will typically be able to diagnose a felon through a physical examination of your finger. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms. They’ll also ask you about your medical history and any recent injuries to your fingertip.
Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose felon finger through a clinical exam. However, they may request additional tests. Your healthcare provider may want an ultrasound to check for evidence of an abscess under the skin. They may also order a wound culture. A wound culture can determine what kind of bacteria caused the felon. This helps your healthcare provider decide which infection-fighting medication (antibiotic) to prescribe you.
If an abscess hasn’t formed yet, your healthcare provider may treat your felon finger with oral (by mouth) antibiotics. In addition, your healthcare provider may instruct you to soak your finger in warm water and keep your finger elevated. If you punctured yourself, your healthcare provider may recommend getting a tetanus shot.
If an abscess has developed, your healthcare provider will need to surgically drain the abscess. They need to drain the abscess to remove the infected material. First, your healthcare provider will give you a pain-blocking medication (anesthetic) to numb your finger. They will inject the medication into each side of your finger beyond your knuckle. Then, your healthcare provider will make one or more cuts (incisions) on your fingertip. This will allow the pus to drain.
Your healthcare provider will wrap your finger in gauze and put it in a splint. After two to three days, your healthcare provider will remove the gauze and reexamine your finger. If your finger looks like it’s beginning to heal, your healthcare provider will have you change the gauze daily to keep the wound clean until it heals. If there’s been no improvement, you may need further surgery. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe you an antibiotic to prevent further infection.
Depending on the severity and treatment of your infection, your felon finger may clear up within days or weeks. If you have a more aggressive treatment, your felon finger may heal faster.