4 yr olds finger is swollen and puss under nail bed wot infection is it and wot treatment?

finger been like that for abot a year. had antibiotaics and cleared up but keeps coming back4 yr olds finger is swollen and puss under nail bed wot infection is it and wot treatment?
Anytime that a child of that age has infection they should be seen by a doctor, it is just to dangerous and they are too presious to take risks.


While waiting to see the doctor you should soak the finger in Epsome Salts and warm water 3 times a day, and by all means keep that finger clean!!





One more idea: type in herpetic whitlow in Yahoo Search /Images and see if you can find a picture that is similar if you do then you know what it is and then you can google or yahoo search treatments for hepetic whitlow and you will know exactly what to do for your child!!


Good Luck and good for you for asking this question. That is what this site is for, you should ignore the ignorant people who are trying to judge you, don't let other peoples bad attitudes effect you in the slightest!!!!!4 yr olds finger is swollen and puss under nail bed wot infection is it and wot treatment?
If the same doc has treated it all these times, and it is recurring, they should be trying different medicines and may consider draining it, or removing the nail to let it heal, in addition to antibiotics, it's worth considering even though it is invasive and unpleasant. You should also be getting very precise information about how to clean and dress it properly.





I wonder if the child sucks her thumb or bites her nails? If so, this is not good, not because it is a shameful thing but because it's not a sanitary thing to do in this case. Not only would she be ingesting the infection and giving it a chance to go systemic (making her sick all over instead of just a sore finger), but she is keeping it moist and warm, a perfect place for bacteria to grow...as well as the fact that germs in the mouth are known to be nasty. She may very well be contaminating her finger WITH those germs.





Check with the doc about soaking in a strong mix of epsom salt and hottish warm water, as well as flushing it with peroxide. This will draw out a lot of toxins, including infections. Also teach her good handwashing.
Sounds like a herpetic whitlow. Get the Dr to check for it!








Finger Infection Causes





Bacteria cause most of these finger infections. The exception to this is the herpetic whitlow, which is caused by a virus. How the infection starts and is found in a particular location is what makes each specific type of infection unique. Usually some form of trauma is the initial event. This may be a cut, animal bite, or puncture wound.





Paronychia: The offending bacteria are usually staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms. Rarely, a fungus causes this infection, which usually begins as a hangnail. Often a person will attempt to bite off the piece of nail that is at the corner. This results in an open wound that allows the bacteria found on the skin and the bacteria found in the mouth to infect the wound. The infection can then spread to the surrounding tissue next to the nail and cuticle.


Felon: This bacterial infection of the finger pad, caused by the same organisms that cause paronychia, is usually the result of a puncture wound. The wound allows the introduction of bacteria deep into the fingertip pad. Because the fingertip has multiple compartments, the infection is contained in this area.





Herpetic whitlow: The offending viral organism is the herpes simplex virus type I or II. This is the same virus that causes oral or genital herpes infections. People in certain occupations are more at risk for this infection. These include dentists, hygienists, physicians, nurses, or any other person who may have contact with saliva or body fluids that contain the virus. People with oral or genital herpes may also infect their own fingers.





Cellulitis: The most common causes of this bacterial infection are staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms. This infection is usually the result of an open wound that allows the bacteria to infect the local skin and tissue. The infection can also spread to the hand and fingers by bloodflow carrying the organisms.





Flexor tenosynovitis: This bacterial infection is usually the result of penetrating trauma that introduces bacteria into the deep structures and tendon sheaths, which allows the spread along the tendon and associated sheath.





Deep space infection: This bacterial infection is usually the result of a puncture wound or deep cut that introduces the bacteria to the deep tissue. The collar button abscess is associated with the web space between the fingers. The deep structures of the hand create many potential compartments for this infection to invade.
The best treatment is to take the child to the Dr or Er as this infection can become much worse. If however there is some reason that you can not do that there are medical websites and nurses hot lines in most places its best to check with some kind of professional and not in a forum such as this below are some websites that will give you infection information.
Take the kid to a doctor. When the doctor gives you antibiotics, make sure the child finishes treatment, even if it gets better the child needs to finish the medication or else the infection will come back.





Peace
Sounds like a witlow (not sure on the spelling) to me although a year seems very long. Does the child bite their nails as this can cause them. My daughter had one that had to be cut open and cleaned out properly at the hospital. It has never returned.
i had the same thing i was also on antibiotics but mine cleared up. does he/she pick the side of nail? mine was caused by that. otherwise sorry i cannot help you. maybe take to the doctor again good luck
for about a year?! Get a second opinion, you might not be on the correct antibiotics (different sorts for different infections). Only a doctor can determine which one. Find a better doctor first.
take your child to a different doctor something is up with your kid that the first doctor isn't finding
Child Services
amputate it
Freakin people! Go to the pediatric unit asap. Poor kid.
Take the kid to a doctor!
hi this needs antibiotics to help clear hun take him docs dont worry lots of kids get it
doctor
sounds like a whitlow, really painful, get him to the doctor !!
Go to a Dr,clinic or ER!!
This could be a wicklow, see a Doctor
go back to g.p.