What is felon infection?

Asked by: Jordon Howell  |  Last update: December 2, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (9 votes)

A felon is an infection that occurs within the closed-space compartments of the fingertip pulp. Any injury to the fingertip may predispose to a felon, including minor cuts, foreign body penetrations, splinters, and paronychias. The most common bacteria associated with infection in a felon is Staphylococcus aureus.

What causes felon infection?

A felon is a fingertip abscess deep in the palm side of the finger. It usually is caused by bacterial infection, most often from growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A painful bump on the end of a finger that is sometimes mistaken for a felon is a herpes virus infection that forms a herpetic whitlow.

What is the most common felon complication?

Osteomyelitis involving the diaphysis of distal phalanx is a common complication.

How do you treat a felon infection at home?

Your finger may be painful and red. Mild finger infections may be treated with antibiotics alone. You also may soak your finger in warm water. If the infection is deeper or there is a lot of pus, the doctor may open the area to drain the pus.

What is a felon also known as?

Definitions of felon. noun. someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime. synonyms: criminal, crook, malefactor, outlaw.

Infection of the finger. what is a felon finger. Diagnosis and treatment of a felon.

28 related questions found

What antibiotic is used for felon finger infection?

The patient should be prescribed a 7 to 10-day course of antibiotics, such as a first-generation cephalosporin or anti-staphylococcal penicillin, to cover S aureus and streptococcal organisms.

What is the most common felony?

By far, one of the most common felonies in the United States is drug crimes. Whether this is possession or trafficking, any time you are discovered with illegal, controlled substances, you will likely face a felony.

What does a felon finger look like?

The felon finger initially looks like a red bump and can progress to an abscess filled with pus. Early treatment with antibiotics is effective at removing the infection. If a felon finger is suspected, it is important to receive medical advice early to avoid more invasive treatments or complications.

What is your body lacking when you get boils?

Compromised immunity. If your immune system is weakened for any reason, you're more susceptible to boils and carbuncles.

What does a septic finger look like?

The swelling usually develops over several days and is located in the pad area of the fingertip. The area will have a throbbing pain and be painful to the touch. The area is usually red, and a visible collection of pus may be seen under the skin.

What can I soak my finger in to draw out an infection?

Soak the infected finger in warm water and an antibacterial soap. Soak for 10 minutes. Repeat 3 times per day until infection is gone.

What is the difference between a felon and a paronychia?

There are dorsal localised infections, which develop in the area of the nail and are called paronychia, and palmar infections, which affect the fingertip and are the typical felons.

Why is it called felon?

The company was founded in April 2008 by producer and writer Michael Schur. The name "Fremulon" comes from the fake insurance company that Schur's pseudonym, Ken Tremendous, worked at when he was writing for the sports blog Fire Joe Morgan, a near pun on the anatomical term frenulum.

How to draw an infection out of a finger?

1) Numb the finger with ice water or a digital nerve block. 2) Clean the cuticle with sterilizing solution. 3) Stab under the skin parallel to the nail with the #11 blade. 4) Pus will escape from the incision.

What is the most common cause of pus?

Pus always happens because of an immune response. The most common reason for this kind of response is a bacterial infection.

How does poor hygiene cause boils?

Risk factors for boils

Poor hygiene – sweat and dead skin cells in natural creases and crevices, such as the armpit, provide a hospitable home for bacteria. Nutrition – inadequate nutrition may reduce a person's natural immunity. Broken skin – other skin conditions, such as eczema, can break the skin surface.

What vitamin gets rid of boils?

Zinc is an important mineral for boosting immunity and is essential in the treatment of boils. Along with zinc, foods containing vitamin A (fish and dairy products), vitamin C (fruits and vegetables) and vitamin E (nuts and seeds) are helpful in strengthening the immune system.

What is the autoimmune disease where you get boils?

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as HS and less commonly as acne inversa, is a chronic, noncontagious, inflammatory condition characterized by painful bumps or boils and tunnels in and under the skin.

How to get an abscess to burst?

You may be able to get rid of an abscess by applying a warm compress to the area. It may drain naturally, but you shouldn't attempt to drain or burst an abscess at home. If you try to squeeze the pus out of an abscess yourself, it can easily spread the bacteria to other areas of your skin.

How long does a felon infection last?

Most patients completely heal within 3 to 4 weeks. In some cases, hand therapy may then be required because of scar sensitivity.

How do you identify a felon?

Simply enter a name to search. Consult the Federal Bureau of Prisons' inmate locator. A search by name will determine if the individual in question has been an inmate of a federal prison at any time since 1982. You will know the person is a felon, though the site will not report the nature of the person's crime.

When is someone considered a felon?

In the United States, where the felony–misdemeanor distinction is still widely applied, the federal government defines a felony as a crime punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year. If punishable by exactly one year or less, it is classified as a misdemeanor.

What's worse felony 1 or 3?

In criminal law, a first-degree offense is the worst felony. It's worse than a second-degree offense, which is worse than a third-degree offense, and so on. So the higher the degree, the lesser the crime.

What does larceny from the person mean?

— larceny from the person. : larceny of property held by or within the immediate control of its owner.