Hand Infection
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Basics
Description
- Hand infections are commonly seen in the ED
- The range of pathology is broad and may include acute and chronic conditions
ALERT
- Serious hand infections are potential liability issues and must be handled with extreme caution
- Maintain a high level of suspicion for clenched fist injuries
- Referral to hand surgeon is almost always indicated
Etiology
- Bacterial infection of the hand is associated with skin pathogens:
- Staphylococcus or Streptococcus spp
- History of a puncture wound
- Anaerobes are identified in 75% of paronychia in children owing to thumb sucking and nail biting
- Chronic paronychia may be caused by Candida albicans
- Herpetic whitlow is caused by type 1–2 herpes simplex virus
- Clenched fist injuries involve a variety of pathogens, including anaerobic Streptococcus and Eikenella spp
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Basics
Description
- Hand infections are commonly seen in the ED
- The range of pathology is broad and may include acute and chronic conditions
ALERT
- Serious hand infections are potential liability issues and must be handled with extreme caution
- Maintain a high level of suspicion for clenched fist injuries
- Referral to hand surgeon is almost always indicated
Etiology
- Bacterial infection of the hand is associated with skin pathogens:
- Staphylococcus or Streptococcus spp
- History of a puncture wound
- Anaerobes are identified in 75% of paronychia in children owing to thumb sucking and nail biting
- Chronic paronychia may be caused by Candida albicans
- Herpetic whitlow is caused by type 1–2 herpes simplex virus
- Clenched fist injuries involve a variety of pathogens, including anaerobic Streptococcus and Eikenella spp
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