Cellulitis around the fingernail

The skin beside the nail may become red, hot, swollen, and sore after a torn cuticle, bite, manicure injury, splinter, or picked hangnail. The inflammation can extend into the fingertip or along the finger. Pus beside or under the nail may suggest a pocket of infection rather than cellulitis alone, and that may need a different procedure. Reduced movement, throbbing pain, or swelling of the whole finger can signal a deeper hand problem. Type 2 Diabetes or reduced immunity can make prompt review especially important.

Arrange medical advice for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pain around the nail. Wash gently, keep the finger dry between cleaning, remove rings before swelling increases, and protect the area with a clean dressing if the skin is broken. Do not cut into the nail fold, drain it yourself, or use leftover antibiotics. A clinician may decide whether medicine, drainage, or treatment of an underlying nail or skin problem is appropriate.

Seek urgent care if redness travels up the finger or hand, the finger becomes very tense, you cannot bend or straighten it normally, pain is severe, pus collects, fever develops, or you feel faint or confused. A rapidly worsening hand infection can damage deeper tissues. Confusion, collapse, or breathing difficulty can indicate Sepsis and requires emergency help.

Ask whether this is Cellulitis, an infection beside the nail, or an abscess; whether drainage is needed; how to dress the finger; and which changes mean the infection is spreading. Mention diabetes, immune conditions, bites, punctures, and recent nail work.