Finger cellulitis and antibiotics: what should you know?

Cellulitis affects deeper skin layers and can cause spreading redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness and reduced finger movement. A wound, bite, puncture or cracked skin can let bacteria enter. An abscess, infected nail fold, tendon-sheath infection, joint infection or retained foreign material may need a different approach, sometimes including drainage or specialist care. Antibiotics do not treat every swollen finger, so examination matters.

Have a painful, hot or increasingly red finger assessed promptly, especially after a bite or puncture. If antibiotics are prescribed, follow the label and complete the course unless the prescriber changes it. Keep the hand raised, remove rings before swelling increases, and keep any wound clean and covered. Do not squeeze a collection of pus or use leftover antibiotics. Marking the edge of redness can help show whether it is spreading.

Seek urgent help for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, red streaks, numbness, blue or pale skin, inability to bend or straighten the finger, or swelling after an animal or human bite. Emergency care is needed for confusion, collapse or severe illness. A rash, facial swelling or breathing difficulty after an antibiotic may signal a serious allergic reaction.

Could this be an abscess, tendon or joint infection rather than uncomplicated cellulitis? Which antibiotic and duration are appropriate for me? What changes should I expect, and when should I return if the redness or pain continues?