Yes, a boo boo, you read that right. Actually, the correct medical term for it is perinicium (sp.?), an infection in the cuticle around my left index finger. I’ve had it since Monday, and it’s still coming to a head. It’s so painful! All I’ve been told to do is to soak it in warm water (with epsom salts); it -should- open up on it’s own, after it comes to a head, so that the pus can drain out. It hasn’t yet, though. And today I got so fed up, I tried to use a needle to poke an opening to let it drain. Yes, I sterilized the needle, but unfortunately was unsuccessful in bringing any relief. Only got a small amount of pus out, then it closed back up.
Any medical professionals who have any ideas, I’m open to them. My HMO told me that if it hadn’t resolved itself in a week, to contact them again and they’d set up something at the ambulatory care center – apparently, they’ll only tend to them in a surgical-like setting, where they can anesthisize it some before using a sterile scapel (OMG… I’m afraid they’re going to chop off my finger!). I’m already on an oral antibiotic (Keflex), but it doesn’t seem to be helping this infection at all, and in fact, the infection seems to be spreading (it started on one side of the nail and is now working it’s way around the base to the other side). Er, sorry for providing so much information…
Anyways, I’m hurting, I’m tired of soaking the finger with no results, and the pain is bad–more than one would think for something this small! I’ve been taking Alleve, but only at night (so I can sleep–yes, that’s how painful it has been).
A paronychium (nail infection) is a bit different from a contusion (bruise). Keflex is a reasonable first try; for bad infections you need to use ciprofloxacin or bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim); and sometimes even need to ADD flagyl, clindamycin or IV antibiotics. See your doctor if it isn’t improving. Make sure (especially if you are a dentist) he has considered the diagnosis of “herpetic whitlow”. Let the doctor stick a needle into the wound and swab it so he can send it to the lab and they can figure out which antibiotics will work.
Thank you Doctor Paprika! I do appreciate hearing from a doctor. I am (fortunately? ;)) not a dentist, so don’t have to worry about “herpetic whitlow.” (I haven’t looked that up yet and might now, considering…:D)
I was finally able to get some of the pus out earlier today; it does not hurt as bad, but it’s still a bit swollen and I’m still soaking it in warm water (alternating with hydrogen peroxide). I think I’ll have to go back to the HMO on Monday, though–I tried to “gently squeeze” the entire swelling, but the part that’s still swollen hurt like HELL when I pressed against it and has not gone down; I suspect there is still infection in there. I’m still taking the Keflex, but I’ll follow your advice–looks like it’s a stubborn infection. I hope I don’t end up losing this nail, that is what is really worrying me!
thanks again, Doctor Paprika!
Apologies for not knowing how to spell paronychium!
erk…i had a bump swelling almost at the base of my spine (well, bearly into the ‘buttocks’ area. i think it was a cut, but it became as big as my palm. Wasn’t heurting that much but i thought it was tumor or something.
I used a normal anti-bacterial cream all over it (small coat) ad covered it so it won’t get anymore germ infested as it was. At one point it started pussing on it’s own. But since there was so much, it smelled rot. (sorry for the detailes) so i helped it along (that was a little more watery than jello) i had to do that over 3 days (it pussed n stopped, then started again on intervalls)
but otherwise it was gone on it’s own.
i have a scar now n can’t really feel that spot lol:D
Actually, the correct medical term for it is perinicium (sp.?), an infection in the cuticle around my left index finger. I’ve had it since Monday, and it’s still coming to a head. It’s so painful! All I’ve been told to do is to soak it in warm water (with epsom salts); it -should- open up on it’s own, after it comes to a head, so that the pus can drain out. It hasn’t yet, though. And today I got so fed up, I tried to use a needle to poke an opening to let it drain. Yes, I sterilized the needle, but unfortunately was unsuccessful in bringing any relief. Only got a small amount of pus out, then it closed back up.