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Avatar universal

infection & tx

Haven't posted in some time, all has been well. I'm at the tail end of tx triple with Inc. 11 weeks to go. My question is I've got an infection in my finger. Not sure of the cause wood splinter, fish dorsal fin is what I've narrowed it down to,I've been to the ER, 4 different DR's had an ultra sound MRI no F body found in finger. No one has an answer. The infection has moved from the tip of my finger well past the knuckle. I've taken 3 different types of antibiotics for a total of 27 days no luck. My blood work is in normal range, but wondering if tx is the reason why I can't loose this infection. These type's of infections are common for one who works the trades. My biggest concern is I had a double knee replacement a year or so ago and don't want the infection to end up there. Has anyone out there had issues with an on going infection while on tx.   Thanks,,,,,, Happy Holidays to all.......
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4173379 tn?1355356551
Hi, could you have knicked the bone with the fin as you describe?

If it has entered the bone, maybe the infection is spreading that way. I had a friend that got bit by a kitten in her index finger...I guess it had got down to the bone and she almost lost her finger due to the infection spreading.

Often the smallest of fragments, even microscopic, can cause the biggest pains or infections! Our body defends itself pretty well until there are other underlying issues that could compromise it's ability to fight infection or heal, as you mentioned. I understand your concern. My husband gets fragments many times due to work he does, and they get very infected inflamed and swollen for long periods before they rid themselves from the body somehow. Pins and needles were torture tools of choice! I always had to make sure the wounds were properly cleaned and ointmented and soaked in Dettol or hot salty water to cleanse or something like that to prevent them from getting worse. Hurts like h***.

Hope you find out the solution...let us know how it turns out.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, I gave up on the pin through the finger, hurts like hell. I really think it's some kind of infection caused from a blue fish. Nothing stayed in the finger however it left it's bacteria. My biggest worry is it moving and settling into my knee replacements. Thanks for your reply.
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Avatar universal
good go to the appointment and stop sticking yourself...LOL I know you feel like need too..but for the most part the skin will reject most slivers. It will work itself out in time. If it doesn't then of course minor surgery may be needed. From what you have said you have a very classic case of a minor infection. redness and swelling with some pain is enough ..puss usually comes later and is usually a sign of success as it sometimes contains the so called sliver along with all the collateral damage in the form of dead white blood cells.......but keep the area moisturized and I have never herd of triple antibiotic ointment causing problems ..use it liberally and see your doc...no posts here can sub for a medical practice folks
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Avatar universal
actually I come from a medical back round not sure what contradictions you allude too....but any disease process is what many call a "rollercoaster" ride. Many times what works for one doesn't work for someone else. Only those who have actually gone through a process or series of trials and errors with HCV and treatments for such such as myself can only offer observations.  I was in such a trial and what I found out that for certain companies that would benefit from drugs being approved for medical use would "skew" the results of clinical trials including ignoring the incidence of certain side effects so that these drugs would get approved. It's all about money and good doctors and good nurses don't always have good tools to work with if they have to make sure this stuff gets approved.
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Avatar universal
I've never had any problems with dry skin. There is a good amount of redness, a lot of swelling, very sore, no discharge, no puss pocket. I went as far as sticking it trying to find puss only blood. I do remember getting some type of sliver, that's a common thing for me. I live in CT. My next step will be to see an infectious DR. I've got an appt. this coming Thursday.
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163305 tn?1333668571
I've had iodine work on ongoing infections. It does indeed dry out the skin.
Not relevant.
Sorry but your other post where you contradict your advise going from one extreme to another, has not convinced me of your reliability as a source of information.

Pooh, being a retired nurse, as always, has given wonderful advise.
Helpful - 0
1815939 tn?1377991799
To answer your question, I have not had an infection on treatment. I have had multiple skin issues including fissures on hands and fingers which became quite sore and inflamed (but no infection)

You did not mention what your symptoms are:  swelling? redness? discharge or pus? pain?

Regardless, if I was you, I, too, would be concerned about this problem that you are having. Anything (redness, swelling, pain, discharge) traveling up a digit or up a limb, is of concern.

You can have a normal WBC even with an infection. You never mentioned if you ever had a break in the skin. However, you do not need a break in the skin to have an infection or to get an infection.

You said you have been through 3 courses of antibiotics with no result.
At this point, if it was me, I would be concerned about a medication resistant infection, an osteomyelitis, or possibly some medical issue/process totally unrelated to an infection.

I don't know where you live but, I think if it was me, I would see an infectious disease doctor. I would also see a rheumatologist to rule out possible causes which fall under rheumatology. The rheumatologist may consult with an immunologist.

It is unfortunate that you are having this lingering problem. I surely hope you can find the cause and treat it. Best of luck.
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Avatar universal
* For Bacteria to enter the skin..
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Avatar universal
And well it should be as it has been around since the beginning of time. However being in the halogen family (with chlorine fluorine to name a few) these kinds of antiseptics also dry out the skin..big time. OK for preventive issues (before most operations betadine solution is used to PREVENT infection) it has little use for an ongoing skin infection and may dry out surrounding tissue making it easier to enter.
Helpful - 0
163305 tn?1333668571
If the wound is still open, try iodine. It's strong stuff and will kill most anything.
You could even try reopening the wound to get the iodine in there.
Use it twice a day for several days.
( I spent a lot of time in the tropics where infections flourish rapidly. Iodine was always in my first aid kit)
Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Many protease inhibitors can cause dryness in the skin.  I had the 3x treatment for 12 weeks before the side effects made me quit.  Most of skin issues I had occurred when I was starting to decrease the amount of meds I was taking. Dry skin has a much higher chance of getting infected. Make sure you use antibiotic ointment and keep your skin as moist with moisturizers as possible..good luck
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