Hand infections are common and occur when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the skin or deeper tissues of the hand.
If left untreated, a hand infection can become more serious and may lead to stiffness, weakness, or damage to the skin, nerves, tendons or bone.
It is important to recognise the signs early and seek medical treatment promptly.
Is this an emergency?
Some hand infections require urgent or emergency medical assessment when there is rapidly increasing pain or swelling, spreading redness, fever, pus, reduced movement, numbness, or signs of infection involving a tendon, joint, or bone.
Please contact 1300HANDOC for advice and further instructions.
- Bite wounds — Human and animal bites can introduce bacteria deep into the hand and may affect tendons, joints, or bone. Prompt medical assessment is recommended.
- Paronychia — Infection around the fingernail causing redness, swelling, tenderness and sometimes pus. Seek assessment if symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving.
- Felon — A painful infection or abscess in the fingertip, often causing throbbing pain and swelling. Prompt assessment is important as the infection can spread to deeper tissues or bone.
- Tendon sheath infection (Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis) — Infection of the flexor tendon sheath causing a swollen, painful finger, often held in a bent position. This is an urgent condition requiring immediate medical assessment.
- Deep space infection — Infection within the deeper tissues of the hand, which can spread to the wrist and forearm. Urgent medical assessment is required.
- Herpetic whitlow — A viral infection causing pain, swelling and small fluid-filled blisters on the finger. Medical assessment is recommended, particularly if the diagnosis is uncertain.
- Septic arthritis — Infection within a joint that can rapidly damage the joint and affect movement. Urgent medical assessment is required.
- Osteomyelitis — Infection of the bone. Urgent assessment is required to prevent further bone damage.
- Redness
- Pain
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Pus discharge
- Fever / chills
- Laceration, Puncture wounds or other injuries with an open wound
- Bite wounds from animals or humans
- Post Surgical Infection
- Health Issues such as Diabetes
- Wet environments
- History and mechanism of injury
- Clinical Examination
- Recent treatment including surgery
Treatment of infections depends on the type and location of infection.
If you are experiencing symptoms of infection, please contact 1300HANDOC to discuss the treatment recommendations.
https://www.advancedhand.com.sg/hand/hand-infection-treatments-singapore/
https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/hand-infection
1300 426 362