Agonising infected finger - photos.

[whichspidermummy]

I had an infected finger a couple of weeks ago (paranychia?). I was prescribed co-amoxiclav, as my cat had nipped me there, although the finger is riddledwith warts, and the skin around the nail is open.

I finished them on Sa and I had a big area of skin come off, with new skin under it, where the infection was.

I woke this morning and the pain and swelling was back.

I soaked my finger for ages in TCP, but the pain is agonising.

When putting baking trays in the oven it feels like a stone/marble/lump is in the pad on the opposite side.

I've found some bactroban that was prescribed for a nose infection (couldn't use it as wasn't for nose.

I don't know what else to do as its throbbing. The photos below show where the skin peeled and also of today (sorry I know I've got cream on them, but I thought I'd try bactroban as desperate).

After soaking, keep cleaning away all the dead and dry cuticle in the area. That build up traps infection and makes it harder to drain. Whenever that happens to me or the kids, I find cleaning all that area away and lifting the skin away from the nail lets it drain and clear itself up.

@pickledandpuzzled thank you I will try it, I'm sure the wart has gone to that area too, which is why the edge of the cuticle is so bad. It's the pain around the back and not being able to bend the finger that was worrying me, I'm such a baby 😁

Ger some magnesium sulphate paste from the chemist and pop that on, put a plaster over and it will draw the infection out - it’s marvellous stuff.

I'd go back to the doctor, you might need another course of a different antibiotics and lancing. The 2nd picture looks like it's swollen or is that just the way it's been taken.

@TraitorsGate Yes it is swollen, the whole finger is swollen above the top knuckle.

I'd pop this over to sporners corner - they have some great suggestions....

I think you need to get that seen.

Cats can easily leave flakes of teeth behind in bites, and cat bites have a wider range of bugs in them than dog bites. You need to see a doctor or urgent treatment centre again.

Looks like that has reoccurred and most likely needs drained. I would pop back to GP for review (or minor injuries)

Please get it seen my sister ended up with a blood infection from her infected finger.

Yep, you need to get that looked at again, meanwhile I would keep it covered if you can. I wouldn't put anything on it. Keep an eye on the redness and swelling to see if it's spreading.

As it's a cat bite you need to get that seen. Pharmacists can prescribe now so worth seeing one tomorrow first thing. I would soak in salt water as often as you can and then cover with Savlon in between.

My mum had a cat but in her hand that ended up looking like yours but redness had started spreading up her hand. A@E trip she was finally given a bed and operated in next morning. Apparently it's more common than we realise

So I'd say go to a+e

Go back to the doc. You may have an infection in the pulp of the finger at the back which might need draining.

Mostly along the lines of 'It's a cat bite and it's not responded fully to the antibiotics - you need to see somebody about it quickly - once that's done, hot sterile saline soaks'.

Definitely needs seeing. If you have a minor injuries or walk-in clinic that's open til 10pm, I'd try to go this evening, otherwise first thing in the morning.

Please don't seek medical advice on here. Please see a HCP.

I've had to have two lots of AB (both at same time for 10 days) and a tetanus after some particularly nasty cat scratches.

Don't leave it, it's clearly infected and needs treatment.

Well according to DH it's fine and will get better, the pad is going numb. I will have to wait as need to be here for DD and DH is going to work, so hopefully it will wait until tomorrow.

That needs looking at again, ASAP.

Agree you should get care quickly for this. Car bites are full of bacteria and dangerous to humans. My father in law ended up in hospital for weeks and had to have a skin graft following a cat bite to the leg.

I had similar and it was dealt with at minor injuries. They drained it (ouch) and gave me antibiotics. Mine cleared up but they said if it doesn't to get it seen again. Yours clearly needs further treatment, don't ignore it, and if you do have a minor injuries unit near you then that would be my first port of call.

Do you know how to watch for tracking? You will need to go back- but hot soaks in the meantime.

I spent 3 days on an IV for a cat bite. So don’t leave it too long.

With DH’s work and DD, bear in mind 3 days in hospital will also be inconvenient 😉

Draw a line on your finger where the redness starts so you can see if it spreads.