Something weird happening to my finger

[mammya]

The tip of my left ring finger is all swollen and red and very tender to the touch, especially at the side of the nail. There's no cut or splinter or anything like that as far as I can see. It started yesterday, totally out of the blue. Has anyone any idea what it could be?

A whitlow? It is kind of hot too? I've had this and it does go away by itself. I have found that sticking the finger in a glass of hot water (as hot as you can stand) sometimes helps draw the infection out.

Unless it's an infected tendon. I don't mean to be an alarmist, but I had what I thought was a hangnail or a bruise or something not terribly serious and left it for 2 weeks and then woke up one morning with my hand swollen so much I couldn't move it and it hurt like hell and I went straight to a&e (in the usa) and ended in hospital for 3 days and almost had to have an operation on the infected tendon that I had. I was told by the surgeon that there was a significant risk that would lose some movement in that finger (right hand forefinger and I'm and architect. Luckily all was well and after physiotherapy and exercises for many months, I did not end up losing movement in the hand. All my friends and family were running off to their doctors for the littlest hangnails for years after that.

Well SophiaAmes I hope it's not an infected tendon then... Poor you! But I think it's more superficial than a tendon (well, I hope). SD what's a whitlow?

Does it sounds like one of these? I think I'm prone to the P one.

Paronychia: A paronychia is an infection of the finger that involves the tissue at the edges of the fingernail. This infection is usually superficial and localized to the soft tissue and skin around the fingernail. This is the most common bacterial infection seen in the hand.

Herpetic whitlow: A herpetic whitlow is an infection of the fingertip area caused by a virus. This is the most common viral infection of the hand. This infection is often misdiagnosed as a paronychia or felon.

Is there any pus? If so, probably a hang nail, if not (and if there seems to be a centre to the paina and tenderness) then probably a whitlow. That's my experience. Treatment? Painkillers, and remember it won't last long. Unless you're SofiaAmes...

Well I can't see any pus, I suppose it could be either of SD's suggestions.
Anyway thanks guys for putting my mind at rest! Will just wait for it to go then.