Follow Up to the Finger...No, Not THAT One.
A few weeks ago, I wrote Ode to the Thumb. It was a tale of my thumb which was out of service because of an infection. While all is well, I wanted to share
what I learned that might help you someday.
Since my thumb odyssey, I heard of at least two other finger infection stories. A friend told me (after she knew that I was out of danger) about a friend of hers who had a cut on her finger. She was on a trip when it became worse...she had a fever and it was throbbing. A trip to the ER; the discovery of a bad staph infection where they learned it had settled in her spine. They had to operate, but she never came out of the anesthesia.
Another friend’s husband got a cut on his finger. It too became infected and he had to have an operation. He is doing well but it was a long process and he still has some aching where it was infected.
These are worse case scenarios and other factors affect the progression of the infection. A compromised immune system could affect how your body handles it.
We all get cuts and boo-boos all of the time and nothing happens. However, if you get or feel something that just doesn’t seem right, have it looked at.
My thumb was tender as if I had bruised it. It was also a bit swollen and felt warm. The day before it presented itself in all its glory, my thumb throbbed and I had to take 2 Aleve.
What I had was Paronychia. I was given two prescriptions for antibiotics because they were concerned the infection would go to my bones. I’ve learned that if you cut, pull or chew at a hangnail, you could leave an opening for bacteria.
I am not a doctor, nor have I ever played one on television. If you have a question about a possible infection, my suggestion is to see your doctor.
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