Felon finger is a bacterial infection in the fleshy part or pad of the fingertip.
It causes a lot of pain with swelling and redness. The fleshy part of the fingertip is called the distal digital pulp in medical language.
It causes a red bump inside the tip of the finger. The infection can cause a collection of pus at the fingertip.
The infection can extend up to the pad of the finger and the soft tissues in the surroundings.
It develops as a result of injury or penetrating trauma ( cut, scratch, splinter or punctured wound ) at the fingertip.
The fingertips are made up of several small tissues packed tightly. The pus collected has no place to go.
It is an infection occurring in the closed space compartments of the fingertip.
Therefore, the infection starts spreading to the deeper layers of the finger.
Sometimes, the infection reaches up to the bone. The swelling in this area leads to intense throbbing pain. It may affect the surrounding tissues as the blood flow is obstructed.
About one-third of the hand infections are felons. If not treated on time, it can develop into an abscess.
Felon Finger Types
Felon finger is a type of finger infection. There are several types of finger infections which are discussed below.
Felon:
It is an infection of the tip of the finger. It includes the pad of the finger and the surrounding tissues.
Cellulitis:
It is an infection of the skin surface. It does not penetrate deeper tissues of the finger or hands.
Paronychia:
It is an infection in the hangnail of the finger. It involves the tissues near the nail root and edges.
It is the most commonly occurring infection in the hands.
Whitlow:
It is also known as Herpetic whitlow. It is caused by a virus.
It can be confused with felon as the virus infects the fingertip.
Whitlow may also have symptoms of paronychia, but it will not respond to the antibiotic treatment.
Felon Finger Causes
Felon finger is caused by bacterial infection. When the fingertip is injured, it creates a small opening through which bacterias enter the skin.
Bacterias grow and starts multiplying. This leads to the development of the felon finger.
The most common bacterias that cause felon fingers are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus.
Minor injuries to the fingerpads can cause a felon finger.
Untreated nail infection (paronychia) can also lead to the felon finger.
Felon Finger Symptoms
Let’s take a look at the symptoms of a felon finger one by one.
There is throbbing pain at the fingertip.
Swelling in the affected area on the finger.
Redness and heat in the fingertip.
There is a collection of pus under the fingerpad.
The patient experiences numbness in the affected area.
The affected area itches and burns with pain.
Fingertip is most commonly used in performing almost every daily life task.
A felon finger causes great difficulty in doing daily life activities, writing, using computers or laptops etc.
Risk Factors for Felon Finger
Certain risk factors make a person more prone to getting a felon finger.
Let’s discuss the risk factors one by one.
Unhygienic practices:
Failure to follow a hygienic lifestyle can put a person at risk of getting a felon finger.
As bacteria and viruses can easily enter the skin through a cut or scratch.
Untreated nail infections:
untreated nail infections such as paronychia can develop into a felon finger.
Nail infections should always be treated on time.
Injury to fingertip or fingerpad:
An injury to the fingertip or fingerpad can cause a felon finger (due to bacterial or viral infection).
Wearing protective gloves while working (for example, in the wood industry), caution while pricking at home (wipe the fingertip before blood tests are performed at home).
These are certain risk factors for the development of a felon finger.
Felon Finger Diagnosis
The doctor can make the diagnosis based on the physical examination of the finger.
The doctor will ask about the symptoms and medical history in detail.
He will interrogate about any recent injuries to the finger and then make the diagnosis.
Ultrasound:
An ultrasound may be advised to determine any abscess formation under the skin.
Wound culture:
A wound culture might be needed to find the specific organism causing the felon.
Identification of the specific organism causing the felon finger will help to decide the treatment plan and antibiotic selection.
Felon Finger Management
Certain management tips should be followed to make the healing process faster.
Wash hands:
Keep hands in good hygienic condition to prevent further progress of the disease.
Wash the hands with soap to kill germs and bacteria.
Follow safety guidelines:
Basic safety measures should be followed while working, such as putting on gloves.
Wipe the fingers with alcohol before any blood test is conducted at home.
Start treatment at the right time:
Nail infections such as paronychia can lead to the development of a felon finger. These infections should be treated on time to prevent their further progression.
Seek medical care:
If the felon is not healing and getting worse, seek immediate medical care.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Felon Finger
Homeopathy offers a safe, reliable, gentle and quick treatment for the felon finger.
There are so many beneficial medicines in homeopathy that can help in treating the felon finger.
Homeopathy can effectively treat the condition and prevent further progression and complications.
These medicines can be given to patients of any age and sex. These are safe to be used by children, young adults and older age group people.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared with natural healing agents and it is free from any adverse effects.
Let’s take a look at the wonderful medicines in homeopathy indicated for the treatment of the felon finger.
1. HEPAR SULPH: For felon finger with great sensitiveness to the slightest touch
Symptoms:
Hepar Sulph is the leading medicine for the treatment of the felon finger in homeopathy.
The fingertip becomes very sensitive. The felon finger is prone to suppurate.
There is a collection of pus under the fingerpad. There is a prickly pain in the affected area.
The pus collection can be bloody. The finger becomes very sensitive to contact.
There is burning and stinging in the fingertip. The patient cannot bear to be uncovered.
The patient wants to be wrapped up warmly. There is sticking and pricking in the affected area.
Potency and dosage:
Hepar Sulph 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Hepar Sulph 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Hepar Sulph in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. SILICEA: For felon finger with offensive pus
Symptoms:
Silicea is indicated in cases where the skin is delicate, pale and waxy. There are cracks at the end of the finger.
The finger becomes rose-coloured. The fingertip suddenly becomes painful.
There is a collection of offensive pus on the fingerpad. Silicea promotes the expulsion of foreign bodies from the skin tissues.
Silicea is helpful for the treatment of long-lasting felon fingers.
The fingertip becomes dry. The affected area itch in the daytime and the evening.
The fingertip may become indurated with crippled nails.
Potency and dosage:
Silicea 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Silicea 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Silicea in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. APIS MELLIFICA: For felon finger with stinging pain
Symptoms:
Apis Mellifica is useful for treating felon fingers with stinging pain in the fingertip.
The fingerpad becomes sore and sensitive with a collection of pus.
There is swelling with sensitivity and a rosy hue in the affected area.
The patient complains of swelling, redness and heat in the finger pads.
The symptoms of Apis Mellifica patient becomes worse with heat, touch and pressure.
The symptoms of Apis Mellifica patients are better by cold bathing and uncovering.
Potency and dosage:
Apis Mellifica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Apis Mellifica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Apis Mellifica in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. FLUORIC ACID: For felon finger worse due to warmth
Symptoms:
Fluoric Acid is a very helpful medicine for patients with felon fingers.
There is swelling, heat and tenderness in the fingertip with red edges.
The symptoms get worse in warmth. The patient complains that it feels like burning vapours are emitted from the affected area.
The nails grow rapidly. There is a collection of pus on the fingerpad.
It is a useful medicine for old, feeble people suffering from the felon finger.
The patient is mentally indifferent toward his loved ones. He is mentally elated and gay.
There is an inability to realise the responsibilities.
Potency and dosage:
Fluoric Acid 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Fluoric Acid 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Fluoric Acid in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. TARENTULA CUBENSIS: For felon finger with purpulish hue
Symptoms:
Tarentula Cubensis is great medicine for the treatment of felon fingers in patients where there is burning and stinging pain.
The fingertip becomes purplish.
The finger gets swelled. There is redness, burning and heat in the fingertip.
Felon finger where pain and inflammation predominate can be cured by this medicine.
The symptoms of a Tarentula Cubensis patient become worse at night.
Tarentula Cubensis is considered a wonderful medicine for toxaemic and septic conditions.
When these symptoms match, Tarentula Cubensis is the best choice.
Potency and dosage:
Tarentula Cubensis 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Tarentula Cubensis 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Tarentula Cubensis in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. MYRISTICA SEBIFERA: Foe felon finger due to traumatic infection
Symptoms:
Myristica Sebifera is a very helpful homeopathic medicine for infections that occur after trauma or injury.
It is a medicine containing great antiseptic powers. It is useful for the inflammations of the skin, tissues and periosteum.
The patient complains of pain in the fingernails with swelling in the phalanges.
Hands become stiff as if squeezing something for a long time.
This medicine hastens suppuration and shortens its duration.
The fingertip becomes swollen with redness, heat and pain. The finger becomes sensitive to touch.
When these symptoms match, Myristica Sebifera should be selected.
Potency and dosage:
Myristica Sebifera 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Myristica Sebifera 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Myristica Sebifera in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. HYPERICUM: For felon finger with excessive painfulness
Symptoms:
Hypericum is a top-grade medicine for the treatment of felon fingers in homeopathy.
It is great medicine for injury to fingers and nails. one of the characteristic features of using hypericum is excessive painfulness.
Felon finger occurring due to punctured wounds. There is tingling, burning and numbness in the fingertip.
The affected area itches intensely. The symptoms become worse with cold and touch.
The patient complains of darting pain in the fingertips and fingerpads.
The fingertip becomes swollen with redness and heat in the affected area.
When these symptoms match, Hypericum is the best choice for treatment.
Potency and dosage:
Hypericum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Hypericum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Hypericum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. BELLADONNA: For felon finger with redness, heat and tenderness
Symptoms:
Belladonna is one of the best medicines for treating felon fingers.
The finger becomes dry, hot, swollen and sensitive. The affected area burns with pain.
There is a collection of pus under the fingerpad. The fingertip becomes indurated after inflammation.
The becomes restless and he cries out due to the intense pain occurring in his fingertips.
The patient does not anybody touch his affected finger as the symptoms get worse with touch.
There is an acuteness of all the senses. When these symptoms match, belladonna is the best choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Belladonna 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Belladonna 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Belladonna in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. LEDUM PAL: For felon finger with sticking pain
Symptoms:
Ledum Pal is a wonderful medicine in homeopathy for the treatment of felon fingers.
The patient complains that there is a sticking pain in the affected fingertip.
The fingertip becomes swollen with redness and heat. There is itching in the fingertip.
There is a collection of pus under the fingerpads. Ledum Pal is great medicine for felon fingers occurring after injury to the fingertip.
The symptoms are better from the cold and worse from the heat of the bed.
When these symptoms match, Ledum Pal should be the choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Ledum Pal 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ledum Pal 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ledum Pal in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. SULPHUR: For felon finger with unhealthy skin
Symptoms:
Sulphur is known as the skin leader in homeopathy. It has great potential of healing skin diseases.
The skin of the patient is dry, scaly and unhealthy, every little injury suppurates.
There is itching and burning in the affected fingertip that becomes worse on scratching and washing.
There is itching due to warmth. The patient complains of intense pain with itching and burning.
There is a collection of pus in the affected area with redness, swelling and heat.
The patient is mentally irritable and depressed. He is very forgetful with difficult thinking.
When the mental and physical symptoms of Sulphur medicine match with the patient, Sulphur can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Sulphur 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Sulphur 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Sulphur in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.