My middle finger got infected with pus around the nail, and after getting hit while playing basketball, blood clotted in the same area. The pus has drained, but the swollen, clotted area is still present. What treatment or care may help it heal properly?
Asked by Male, 29 · 2 days ago
The area around the nail may still stay swollen after the pus drains because of blood clotting, leftover inflammation, or tissue injury from the basketball hit, which can take time to settle. When infection and injury happen together, the skin around the nail often remains tender, dark, hard, or puffy for several days, even after the pus comes out. Keeping the finger clean and dry is important while it heals. Warm saltwater soaks for a few minutes a few times daily may help improve blood flow and reduce stiffness. Avoid pressing or trying to squeeze the swollen area repeatedly because this can delay healing or restart bleeding under the skin. If the pain is mild, the clot may slowly shrink as the body absorbs the trapped blood naturally. However, increasing redness, throbbing pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, difficulty bending the finger, or swelling spreading beyond the nail area may suggest persistent infection and should be checked again. Sometimes a deeper collection of pus or nail-bed injury may need further treatment.