Cellulitis Infection - Finger Felon
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the superficial and deep layers of the skin. In the finger tip, this is known as a felon.
Symptoms of a Felon (Finger Tip Infection)
- Throbbing pain in the end of the finger.
- Felon's most common occur in the thumb or index finger.
- Swelling.
- Redness.
- Inflammation.
Causes
Felon's sometimes occur after a minor injury to the finger tip, such as a splinter or small puncture wound. Fingertip blood glucose testing has been implicated as a cause of finger tip infections. They may also happen with no clear cause.
Treatment of Cellulitis
- If cellulitis is suspected, visit a Doctor as soon as possible.
- Anti-biotics are usually prescribed to clear the infection.
- In most cases this is all the treatment which is required and the infection will clear by the end of the course.
- In severe cases, where the blood flow may be compromised, decompression may be required.
- This involves a small incision in the fingertip so that fluid can be drained and so pressure released.
- This is done following a local anaesthetic injection.
