Forms of inflammation on the finger

If an inflammation of the tendon (or more often: of the tendon sheath) is the cause, this can also cause typical inflammation symptoms. In this case no wound is visible and no pus is formed. Nevertheless, the hand can show signs of inflammation and often even small movements are painful.

Only rarely are infections responsible for the clinical picture, but it is usually an overloading of the tendons. The inflammation can be treated by sparing, cooling and taking pain and anti-inflammatory medication. In some cases an operation must be considered.Inflammations of the finger joints can have multiple causes and do not always have to be caused by pathogens.

Possible are also rheumatic illnesses such as arthritis, which increases particularly with age. Typical signs of inflammation in the finger joints are swelling, redness, overheating, pain and restrictions in joint function. However, the most common form of inflammation in the finger joint is a pathogen-induced infection of the finger that has spread to the joint structures.

This is known as “Panaritium articulare”. The joint structures are particularly sensitive and prone to damage and long-term consequences of the infection. The joint cartilage of the fingers can be attacked and damaged by the inflammatory cells.

This often results in wear and tear of the joint cartilage over a period of a few years. In the long term, this leads to a narrowing of the joint space, thickening of the bones and stiffening of the joint. In many cases, pain and restricted movement can also be the result of cartilage damage.

Inflammation of the joint can also often become chronic and thus cause long-term consequences. Inflammations caused by an injury to the finger are very common. Especially when the skin has been damaged by a thorn or other injury, the injury is an entry point for bacteria.

The human skin is usually not free of bacteria, which is why an inflammation due to an injury can easily occur. Inflammatory reactions can also occur in injuries that are not accompanied by skin damage. If the structures within the finger are damaged, signs of inflammation appear.

It should be clarified whether the bones and tendons of the finger are still intact or whether a specific therapy is necessary. In order to prevent inflammation after an injury, the wound should be rinsed with water and disinfected as soon as possible, especially if the skin has been clearly damaged. Despite any pain that may occur, disinfection should be carried out thoroughly.

Then, depending on the extent of the injury, the wound should be dressed with sterile dressings and these should be changed frequently. Larger injuries should always be clarified by a doctor. A purulent inflammation of the finger results in inflammation of the finger with melting of the surrounding tissue.

It can affect different layers and areas of the skin. These include the skin (Panaritium cutaneum), the subcutaneous tissue (Panaritium subcutaneum) or the nail bed (Panaritium subunguale or paraunguale). The joints (Panaritium articulare), the tendons (Panaritium tendinosum), the bones (Panaritium ossale) or the periosteum (Panaritium periostale) can also be affected.

Further important information regarding purulent finger inflammation can be found at

Nail bed inflammation on the finger
Pus in the finger – You should pay attention to this!

Symptoms of purulent finger inflammation Depending on which layer of the finger is inflamed, patients show different symptoms:

If the skin is affected, blisters filled with pus are formed. The patient feels pain, which is intensified when pressure is applied. In addition to the swelling, redness usually occurs.
If the inflammation spreads to the joints, there is swelling and redness of the joints.
Pain occurs during movement of the affected joint, as well as during compression and traction.
If the tendons or tendon sheaths are affected, the entire finger is usually swollen and reddened. The skin over the tendons is taut and shiny. Pressure pain over the entire tendon and movement pain are typical symptoms.
Nail bed inflammation is characterized by an accumulation of pus under the nail.
In addition, there is a strong throbbing pain, which is intensified when pressure is applied to the fingernail.
If the inflammation spreads to the bone of the finger, the finger swells around the bone and is very painful under pressure.

Diagnosis of purulent finger inflammation The diagnosis of purulent finger inflammation and phlegmon is usually made by the clear symptoms. X-rays of the fingers or hand should also be taken to see whether the adjacent bones are affected. In addition, the blood can be examined for signs of inflammation and the involvement of bacteria can be checked by a wound swab.

Therapy for purulent finger inflammation In most cases, warm soap baths or baths with added chamomile help to promote healing in the case of inflammation of the finger. Inflammatory ointments such as turpentine oil can also be useful.If the inflamed area is already open and pus is draining away, it should be disinfected immediately. However, if the inflammation does not recede or worsens, a doctor should be consulted.

This places usually the finger concerned calmly and prescribes if necessary additionally an antibiotic against bacteria or an antimycotic against mushrooms. If the purulent infection is very pronounced, a surgical intervention is necessary. The affected area is locally anaesthetized and the doctor makes a incision in the skin above the pus accumulation so that the pus can drain away.

The wound is then disinfected and the hand is immobilized. Care should be taken to ensure that sufficient tetanus vaccination protection is available. Under no circumstances should you try to remove an accumulation of pus yourself.

There is a risk of carrying the bacteria into deeper skin layers. If the inflammation has penetrated into deeper layers of the skin, a surgical intervention is also necessary. After removal of the infected and dead tissue, antibiotic sponges or chains are inserted to keep bacteria away.

If tendon sheaths are affected, surgery is also necessary and the tendon sheaths must be opened. In particularly severe cases, when the bone is already affected and tissue has died in connection with a wound healing disorder, amputation may even be necessary. An amputation is in all cases not to be glossed over and all measures should be taken as early as possible to avoid this.

Nevertheless, it is advantageous to be familiar with this incident. Prophylaxis of purulent finger inflammation In order to prevent inflammation of the finger in the area of the nail bed, care should be taken to cut the nails regularly so that they do not grow in. Filing the nails round can also be useful for this.

The cuticle should not be cut with scissors. This can lead to injuries that allow bacteria to penetrate the skin. Gloves should be worn to protect the hands during activities involving contact with harsh cleaning agents or fertilizers.

The following article will show you how to best care for your hands and nails: Cracked cuticles – the best treatment optionsDuration of the purulent finger inflammation As a rule, an inflammation of the nail bed should subside after about a week. If this is not the case, a doctor should be consulted. Inflammations that affect the upper layer of skin of the finger also take about a week.

However, if the inflammation penetrates more deeply, the healing time will be longer. An inflammation of the fingernail is also called “Panaritium perunguale”. It is a common form of inflammation of the finger, since the pathogens can spread quickly through the tendon sheaths to the nail bed.

In addition to bacteria, fungi can also frequently cause nail bed inflammation. Typical for an inflammation of the fingernail are redness, hot, throbbing pain and swelling. On the side of the nail, pus formation, fever and strongly pulsating pain can occur after a few days.

The nail inflammation can be very unpleasant and should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. An advanced nail bed inflammation leads in very many cases to the nail falling off. Spreading to other nails and the entire finger is also possible and can lead to further complications.

With appropriate baths, disinfections and ointments, the inflammation should be contained in early stages. The loss of the fingernail can also be avoided at an early stage. A phlegmon is an extensive, progressive inflammation of cell tissue, which can affect different layers of the skin.

Either it spreads directly under the skin, or one layer deeper, i.e. under the fan-shaped connective tissue plate of the palm of the hand, the so-called palmar aponeurosis. A phlegmon can also develop underneath this connective tissue plate, which is then located above the hand muscles. A phlegmon can also spread on the back of the hand and the extensor side of the fingers.

Symptoms of phlegmon on the finger In the case of a phlegmon, the affected area suffers from drilling or throbbing pain. In most cases, redness and swelling can also be seen and the skin is overheated. The function of the affected fingers is severely restricted and there is a strong pain when pressure is applied.

In addition to these signs of inflammation, general signs of inflammation can also be seen in a phlegmon. These include fever, chills and general malaise. Therapy of phlegmons on the finger If there is a phlegmon of the finger, it must be surgically opened to flush it out.The inflamed tissue should be removed as well as the dead tissue.

To fight the bacteria, antibiotics are injected into the affected areas. This is done in the form of chains or sponges. The fingers or hand must be immobilized after this procedure and possibly rinsed again during the healing process. The patient should then take advantage of physiotherapy to regain the mobility of the finger. If the tendon becomes stuck, a second operation may have to be performed to loosen it.