What could possibly cause my finger to turn green and painful? (photo)

Doctor's Answers 1

Photo of Dr Aaron Gan
Dr Aaron Gan

Hand Surgeon

This is an infection of the fingertip called paronychia. This is usually caused by a bacterial infection due to a break in the skin near the nail. Individuals who bite their nails have a higher chance of getting such infections.

The greenish collection seen is pus, which is a result of the bacterial infection causing necrosis of tissue. The painful and red areas surrounding this pus collection is due to inflammation caused by the infection.

The recommended treatment for paronychia is surgical debridement and drainage of the infected tissue and treatment with oral antibiotics until the infection settles. In severe infections, part of or the entire nail may have to be removed to facilitate the clearance of infection. Early treatment is key. If left alone and untreated, such infections may spread or even affect the underlying bone, causing a much more complicated problem - osteomyelitis, or bone infection.

Similar Questions

How can I get rid of clogged pores and milia seeds?

Our face is constantly exposed to dirt, bacteria, skin care or cosmetic products. If you don’t clean your face thoroughly, it’s easy for pores to get clogged. The best way to prevent clogged pores is to follow a good daily skin care regimen and exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dead skin cells and excessive sebum.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

Recommendation of doctor in NSC for treatment of folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a relatively straightforward condition to treat and get rid of – any dermatologist will be able to help you. There are, however, some other conditions that look similar. A dermatologist will be able to help you to diagnose and distinguish between possible causes.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox