red, swollen fingertip on 5 yr old

[123abcs]

Hi, my 5 y/o son has an infected fingertip.  I can not see any pus, but it is red and swollen all around the nail and down to the top knuckle.  He has had this before, but I have been able to find something to drain in the past.  One time it was on his toe, and we had to go to the clinic to have it drained.  My question is, how long can I leave this without being seen?  What can the doctor do if there is nothing visible to drain?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
What your son seems to be having is called paronychia.It is an often-tender bacterial or fungal hand infection where the nail and skin meet at the side or the base of a finger or toenail.

Pus is usually present, along with gradual thickening and sometimes browning discoloration of the nail plate.For this, soak the finger in hot water 2-3 time daily and to drain the pus and consult a doctor for antibiotics or antifungal prescription depending on the infection.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted in case you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[123abcs]

Well he's much better with salt water soaks.

[123abcs]

anybody?