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Home /
Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders /
Hand Disorders /
... /
Felon /
IN THIS TOPIC

Treatment

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Hand Disorders
Overview of Hand Disorders
Boutonnière Deformity
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
De Quervain Syndrome
Dupuytren Contracture
Felon
Ganglia
Hand Abscess
Hand Infections Caused By Bites
Herpetic Whitlow
Infection of the Tendon Sheath in the Fingers
Kienböck Disease
Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Swan-Neck Deformity
Trigger Finger

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Test your knowledge

Gout
Gout is a disorder in which deposits of uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints because of high blood levels of uric acid. Which of the following is the most common cause of high blood levels of uric acid?
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More Content

Felon

By

David R. Steinberg

, MD, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Last full review/revision May 2020| Content last modified May 2020
Click here for the Professional Version
Topic Resources

A felon is an infection of the soft tissue (pulp) of the fingertip, usually caused by bacteria.

A felon can lead to a pocket of pus (abscess) inside the fingertip, which creates pressure on and causes death of nearby tissues. The fingertip becomes very warm, swollen, and firm with intense throbbing pain.

The doctor makes the diagnosis of felon by examining the affected finger.

(See also Overview of Hand Disorders Overview of Hand Disorders Hand and finger disorders include ganglia, deformities, disorders related to nerves or blood vessels, osteoarthritis, trigger finger, Kienböck disease, and infections. Some other disorders that... read more Overview of Hand Disorders .)

Treatment of Felon

  • Drainage of pus

  • Antibiotics

If a felon is not treated promptly, the underlying bone, joint, or tendons may become infected. Treatment of felon is prompt drainage of the pus. Doctors drain the pus through a surgical incision. Antibiotics are taken by mouth.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version
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© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
Dupuytren Contracture
Ganglia

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Hand Disorders
Overview of Hand Disorders
Boutonnière Deformity
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
De Quervain Syndrome
Dupuytren Contracture
Felon
Ganglia
Hand Abscess
Hand Infections Caused By Bites
Herpetic Whitlow
Infection of the Tendon Sheath in the Fingers
Kienböck Disease
Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Swan-Neck Deformity
Trigger Finger
Others also read
Herpetic Whitlow Herpetic Whitlow
Infection of the Tendon Sheath in the Fingers Infection of the Tendon Sheath in the Fingers
Overview of Hand Disorders Overview of Hand Disorders
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Test your knowledge

Gout
Gout is a disorder in which deposits of uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints because of high blood levels of uric acid. Which of the following is the most common cause of high blood levels of uric acid?
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Also of Interest

Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

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