Archive for November, 2011

How To Treat An Ingrown Fingernail

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

When one thinks of an ingrown nail, the first thought that comes to mind is usually an ingrown toenail, but an ingrown fingernail can occur just as well. An ingrown fingernail usually happens when there has been improper care of the nail such as biting of the nail, trimming the nails incorrectly, or it can be due to injury of the nail bed.

95 How To Treat An Ingrown Fingernail

While an ingrown fingernail is rare, it can be treated in various ways such as by a doctor and at home care. It is best to learn what an ingrown fingernail looks like, or if you have any concern about your fingernails to go to your physician and have the condition checked out. Receiving early care by a doctor will reduce your chance of the ingrown fingernail becoming infected. Once you get to your health care provider he or she can do many things to start the treatment process. The first step in treating the nail is more than likely is to reshape it. This step can include trimming the nail into a correct shape, and shaping it so the nail doesn’t penetrate the surrounding skin any further. The health care provider may even trim any extra skin that is around the ingrown nail as well.  Medication to prevent infection may be given topically or orally such as in the form of an antibiotic pill or cream. Lastly, pain medication may be prescribed based on how intense your pain factor is.

After receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment from a doctor, one can treat the ingrown fingernail at home.  You can soak the nail that’s ingrown in some warm salt water multiple times a day to relieve any discomfort and/or swelling that may occur. Soaking the nail also makes for easier clipping, if need be. Be sure to dry thoroughly afterward so that moisture doesn’t  get trapped underneath. Rubbing an ointment that is antibacterial after soaking the nail, will also help prevent any bacteria from breeding as well.  To prevent further injury to your ingrown fingernail, especially if you play sports, you should request a finger splint from your health care provider as well as keep a bandage on your fingernail.  Be sure to change your bandage often to keep the area around your nail as clean as possible . Massaging the skin around the fingernail with olive oil or other moisturizing element also helps with the fingernail, as it prevents bacteria from entering small cracks within the skin.  

Having an ingrown fingernail can be painful, but if it is taken care of immediately, it can be remedied before it becomes worse.

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What Can Cause An Infected Finger

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

An infected finger can be caused by many different types of bacteria, and bacteria is usually the cause of an infected finger. However in the case of herpetic whitlow it is caused by a virus which is the herpes simplex virus. An infection can get into the finger via a puncture wound, cut or animal bite.

94 What Can Cause An Infected Finger

There are five different types of bacteria that can cause a finger infection. The different types of bacteria usually have unique entry points, and affect different parts of the finger. One bacteria is called paronychia. Paronychia can be a result of a strep or staph infection. What happens in this instance is that a hangnail will be on the finger, and one will attempt to remove the hangnail by biting it off.This can cause a wound that is the bacteria’s point of entry. The bacteria that is in the mouth and on the hand of the finger enter the open wound and cause infection. The bacteria can then get into the skin around the nail and the nail itself. This infection is usually minor. Next, another infection caused by the same bacteria is called felon. This bacterial infection is usually the result of a deep puncture wound, for instance if a nail punctures the finger. It usually attacks the padding of the finger, and stays in that location only.Cellulitis is yet another that starts within the finger but spreads easily throughout the rest of the hand and infects other fingers. It is caused by strep and staph bacteria just as paronychia. It can enter through an open wound in one finger and be carried throughout the hand  by the blood.

Deep space infection is another type, it is called this because the puncture or other type of wound reaches into the deep tissue of the finger infecting it. An abcess due to the infection can develop on the webs between the fingers. Due to the infection being deep in the finger, it allows for easier spread of the bacteria throughout the hand. Another type of deep infection of the finger is called flexor tenosynovitis, and it is usually caused by a trauma that is penetrative. The bacteria then infects the tendons and sheath of the finger.

Lastly is herpetic whitlow.  This is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it can be either type or type 2. Children and people who work in the medical and dental field are more at risk for this type. The entry point of this virus can be any wound, or break in skin on the finger or hand, and causes fluid filled blisters on the hand. The herpes virus is very contagious, and can be passed from person to person, as well as from body part to body part, for example from mouth to hand, or genitals to hand.

There are many causes to an infected finger, mostly a bacterial cause. If one thinks they have an infection they should check with their health care provider immediately.

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What Is Herpetic Whitlow?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Herpetic whitlow also known as finger herpes or hand herpes is a viral infection of the fingers. The virus that causes this infection is the herpes simplex virus.  This infection causes painful small pus filled blisters that usually appear in clusters on the finger and on and around the fingernail.   This infection is  very contagious and can be transferred easily to other body parts.  

93 What Is Herpetic Whitlow?

Herpetic whitlow can be a result of the finger touching a part of the body that is already infected by the herpes virus such as the mouth, the vagina, the penis or the anus. The virus can also be contracted by a healthy human touching someone’s body parts who has HSV.  The virus usually gets into the finger by a crack in the skin on the finger or around the nail.  Having a hangnail increases the risk, as it allows the virus to enter the fingernail bed and set up infection.

Certain people are more at risk of contracting the infection than others. Children are especially at a higher risk for contracting the painful virus.  This is due to them sucking their fingers, and if they have a cold sore or other type of herpes virus activity in their mouth, the virus is easily transformed to the fingers.  Healthcare workers such as those that work as a dentist are also at increased risk. They are at increased risk because they may place their hands into the mouths of patients who have herpes. Also health care workers who work in the field of obstetrics and gynecology are at a higher risk, as they can come into contact with patients who have genital herpes.

Symptoms of herpetic willow include burning, tingling, itching and pain at the site of infection.  Clusters of fluid filled blisters that are usually bright red and are very itchy are another symptom. There may also be red streaks on the finger, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the elbow and underarm areas.

The fluid filled blisters can take up to two weeks to heal. The healing period includes the blisters rupturing, crusting over and then finally going away until the next episode. There are certain things that can trigger an episode such as over-exposure to sunlight,  illness, stress and surgical procedures.

Herpetic willow is a serious and painful infection whose risk can be minimalized with good personal care,  testing for the herpes infection and precautionary measures such as wearing gloves.

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