You probably didn’t think much of it when you nipped that hangnail or pushed back your cuticle a little too aggressively. Then, a day later, your finger starts throb-throb-throbbing. It gets red. It gets puffy. Suddenly, typing an email or picking up a coffee mug feels like someone is jamming a needle into your fingertip. You’re dealing with a paronychia, which is just the fancy medical term for a skin infection around the nail, and honestly, how to treat an infected finger nail depends entirely on whether you’ve caught it before it turns into a full-blown abscess.
It's tempting to just squeeze it. Don't.
📖 Related: Why Cold Pressed Castor Oil Hexane Free Is Actually Worth the Hype
Most of these infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus—the common staph bacteria that lives on your skin anyway—just waiting for a tiny microscopic tear to get inside. Sometimes it’s Streptococcus. If you're a chronic nail biter, you're basically hand-delivering bacteria from your mouth into a warm, moist wound. It's a recipe for a bad week.
The First Rule of Home Care: Soak, Don't Poke
If you see redness and feel warmth but there isn't a visible "pocket" of yellow pus yet, you can usually handle this at home. The gold standard for initial treatment is the warm salt water soak. Take a bowl of warm water—not scalding, just comfortably hot—and add a generous tablespoon of Epsom salt or even just regular table salt.
Soak it for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this three to four times a day.
Why does this work? It isn't just "cleaning" the area. The warmth increases blood flow to the finger, which brings white blood cells to the site of the infection to do their job. The salt helps draw out some of the excess fluid that’s causing that agonizing pressure. It’s simple, but most people give up after one soak. You have to be consistent. If you stop too early, the bacteria just regroup and come back stronger.
After you soak, dry the finger thoroughly. Bacteria love damp environments. You might apply a bit of over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Neosporin, but don't go overboard. Slathering it in thick grease can actually trap moisture. A thin layer and a loose bandage are all you need.
When It’s Not Just a Simple "Owie"
Sometimes the infection goes deeper. If you notice a white or yellow blister forming under the skin right next to the nail, that’s an abscess. At this point, the salt water might not be enough to penetrate the pocket of infection.
You might see people on the internet suggesting "bathroom surgery" with a sewing needle. This is a terrible idea.
Truly. Unless you want to risk a secondary infection or a much deeper issue like cellulitis—which is when the infection spreads into the deeper layers of the skin and up your arm—leave the sharp objects to a professional. A doctor or an urgent care nurse can perform a "digital block" to numb the finger and then use a sterile blade to nick the abscess. The relief from the pressure is almost instant. It’s weird how much pus can hide in such a small space.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if the infection hasn't improved after two days of home treatment, or if you start seeing red streaks running up your hand, you need to get to a clinic immediately. Red streaks are a sign of lymphangitis, which means the infection is trying to enter your bloodstream. That is not something you "soak" away.
Fungal vs. Bacterial: Know the Difference
Not all nail infections are the same. If your finger got red and swollen in 24 hours, it’s probably bacterial. But if the skin around your nail has been slightly puffy, red, and tender for weeks—and the nail itself is starting to look thick or discolored—you’re likely looking at a fungal infection (chronic paronychia).
This is common in people who have their hands in water a lot. Think bartenders, dishwashers, or even people who do a lot of gardening without gloves. The fungus Candida is often the culprit here. Treating a fungal infection is a marathon, not a sprint. Those warm salt soaks won't do much. You'll need antifungal creams like Clotrimazole, and more importantly, you have to keep the finger bone-dry.
The Mistakes That Lead to ER Visits
I’ve seen people try to "burn" the infection out with pure bleach or undiluted tea tree oil. Please stop. These are caustic. They destroy the healthy tissue alongside the bacteria, making it harder for your body to heal. While tea tree oil has some antimicrobial properties, using it full-strength on broken skin is a one-way ticket to a chemical burn.
🔗 Read more: Is Today’s Air Quality in Los Angeles Actually Getting Better or Are We Just Used to It?
Another huge mistake? Ignoring the pain because "it's just a finger."
The anatomy of the hand is incredibly complex. The compartments in your fingertips are tight. When swelling happens, the pressure has nowhere to go. This can actually cut off blood flow to the tip of the finger. In rare, worst-case scenarios, an untreated nail infection can lead to osteomyelitis—an infection of the bone. You do not want a bone infection in your finger. It requires weeks of IV antibiotics and sometimes even surgery.
What about "Green Nail"?
If the area under your nail looks literal green, you probably have a Pseudomonas infection. This bacteria produces a green pigment. It’s common in people whose nails have lifted away from the bed (onycholysis), creating a perfect little cave for bacteria to move in. You can't just wash this off. A doctor will usually recommend soaking the nail in a diluted vinegar solution (one part white vinegar to four parts water) because Pseudomonas hates acidic environments, but you might still need prescription drops.
Practical Steps for Healing Right Now
If you're reading this because your finger is currently throbbing, here is your immediate checklist:
- Assess the color. Bright red is okay for now. Deep purple or black is a medical emergency.
- The "Press Test." Press on the skin near the nail. If the redness blanches (turns white) and then returns, that's normal inflammation. If there is a localized spot that feels "squishy" or fluctuant, that's pus that needs draining by a pro.
- Warm Soak #1. Get that bowl of warm salt water ready. 15 minutes. No excuses.
- Elevate. Keep your hand above your heart. It sounds silly, but it reduces the throbbing significantly by letting gravity help drain the fluid.
- Check your temperature. If you have a fever or chills, the infection is no longer local. It’s systemic. Go to urgent care.
Prevention: Stop the Cycle
Once you’ve cleared the infection, you need to change your habits, or you'll be back here in a month. Stop biting your nails. Seriously. It creates micro-tears that are open doors for bacteria. If you have a hangnail, don't rip it. Use a pair of sterilized nail clippers to snip it at the base.
Keep your cuticles moisturized. When the skin gets dry and cracks, it loses its barrier function. A simple heavy cream or petroleum jelly applied before bed can prevent the cracks that allow Staph to get a foothold. If you get regular manicures, make sure your technician isn't cutting your cuticles. They are there for a reason—they're the seal that protects the nail matrix.
If you’re a chronic sufferer, look at your soap. Are you using something incredibly harsh that's stripping your skin's natural oils? Switch to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. And if you’re a gardener or a hobbyist who works with your hands, wear gloves. Soil is teeming with bacteria and fungi that would love to call your fingernail home.
Next Steps for Recovery
Keep a close eye on the nail for the next week. Even after the pain goes away, the nail might look a bit ridged or have a temporary "dent" (called Beau's lines) where the infection stunted the nail's growth for a few days. This is normal. It will grow out.
📖 Related: How many calories should I eat for a calorie deficit? The math (and the reality) explained
If the skin starts to peel as it heals, don't pick at it. Apply a thick emollient like Aquaphor to keep the new skin protected. If the redness starts to spread toward your knuckle at any point, stop the home care and call a doctor. Most finger infections are minor, but the ones that aren't can escalate with terrifying speed.
Stay diligent with the soaks for at least 48 hours after the pain subsides to ensure you’ve really knocked the bacterial load down.