Unusual Infected Opening on Finger
Hi reddit medical community, I'm reaching out about a concerning issue involving my boyfriend (29 years old). He's developed a strange infected opening on his finger that stands out from typical nail problems I found online. This opening is located on the lower joint of his finger and initially resembled a pimple. I attempted to pop it, but nothing substantial came out—just this unusual hole surrounded by some calloused skin that seems infected. He mentioned this issue arose a few days back, but he only brought it to my attention recently, so I’m not sure about its appearance prior to that. He can’t recall how it happened either, although it coincided with our first experience of having “special” lemonade that same night (a different tale altogether). My worries escalated when it appeared to be filled with pus and took on a greenish hue when he first revealed it to me. I tried to take care of it by cleaning the area with rubbing alcohol and spraying hydrogen peroxide on it. In my attempts to treat it like a pimple, I squeezed it, which released a small amount of pus—far less than I would have anticipated based on its initially alarming appearance. Ultimately, I decided to apply some Aquaphor and cover it with a band-aid. Does anyone have any insights into what this could be or suggestions on how to proceed? I appreciate your help! :)
Answers (1)
8/22/2025, 8:11:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your boyfriend has developed a concerning infection on his finger, which could be caused by various factors, including an ingrown hair, a small cut that became infected, or even an ingrown nail. The appearance of pus and the greenish hue are signs of infection, which should be taken seriously.
Explanation
Infections can occur when bacteria enter through small breaks in the skin. The presence of pus suggests that the body is trying to fight off this infection. While it’s good that you’ve attempted to keep the area clean, there are specific steps you should take to help manage this situation effectively, especially since it seems to be worsening.
Next Steps
-
Continue Cleaning Gently: Clean the affected area gently with warm water and mild soap to remove any dirt and reduce the risk of further infection. Avoid using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as they can irritate the skin further.
-
Avoid Squeezing: Do not attempt to pop or squeeze the lesion more, as this can push bacteria deeper into the skin and worsen the infection.
-
Apply an Antibiotic Ointment: After cleaning, apply a topical antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) to help fight the infection. Cover it loosely with a clean bandage to protect it from further irritation.
-
Monitoring Symptoms: Keep an eye on the infection. If it spreads, becomes increasingly painful, develops a fever, or does not start to improve within a couple of days, it will be essential to seek professional medical advice.
-
Keep it Dry: While it's important to clean the area, try to keep it dry when not cleaning or applying ointment. Excess moisture can make infections worse.
By following these steps, you can help manage the infection and promote healing. If you see no improvement soon, or if things worsen, professional medical evaluation will be key to determine if stronger treatments (such as oral antibiotics) are necessary. Please keep me updated on how things progress!
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.