Salve recipe or healing tips?

**joyofsix** · 02-08-2009, 01:58 PM

I have an infected index finger. It is red and swollen (really swollen) around half of the nail back to the knuckle. It doesn't seem to have an obvious place to lance it. I've been using warm salt water soaks. Does anybody have any brighter ideas? It sounds small but is painful.

**Nikmom** · 02-08-2009, 02:31 PM

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but that sounds like Dr. appt. serious. Could be something that needs attention if warm soaks aren't making it better. There is something called herpetic whitlow that that sounds like ---pretty serious. You could google it. Anyway if it doesn't start getting better I would go.

**PrairieRose** · 02-09-2009, 09:03 AM

It sounds like something I had once, many years ago. An old nurse told me it was a 'ring around'. An infection around the nail on an appendage. She told me to put iodine on it and wash it 2-3 times a day with soap and water. Keep it covered with a bandaid. That's what I did and after about 10 days it went away....if I were you I'd try anti biotic ointment or tea tree oil on it, washing it 2-3 times per day (at least with soap and water). I feel for ya, man that thang hurt!

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-09-2009, 12:58 PM

I know the warm water feels good, but ice will help get the swelling down, which is what you need.

I would suggest Neosporin if you had a cut or an open wound, but you say that isn't the case.

I 2nd seeing a medical professional. Do you have any of those low-cost drugstore clinics in your area?

**joyofsix** · 02-09-2009, 01:28 PM

Thanks guys. I did opt to go to the MD this morning. They prescribed antibiotics since they couldn't find a place to lance it. (If I had seen where to lance it, I'd have done it.) If it doesn't resolve I'll need to go back. She thought it might be a felon. Don't you just love that name.

**nancycg56** · 02-09-2009, 01:34 PM

Please be very careful with this! My DH had an infection with unknown origin and ended up in the hospital when it moved into his bicep. Zillions of antibiotics later, he's fine.