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Suggest Treatment For Staph Infection In Fingers
Question: Hello,
I had a staph infection in my finger, which resulted in my finger always pointing straight. The wound healed, but there was still abscess in the finger. I was given Doxycline for 2 weeks to clear up the infection, but I was having slight headaches with it, so I was given Clindamycin instead. I was getting disappointed after week 1, and no results, so I decided to do some things that will help the Clindamycin work better. I started taking monolaurin and proteolytic enzymes, and indeed the antiobiotic started to penetrate much deeper than before. I was about to run out of Clindamycin, so I went back to see another doctor at the same office to get a perscription.
This new doctor told me that I no longer had an infection, and tried the bend my finger with force. I told this new doctor that I still feel the Clindamycin still killing germs when I take it, so it is doing something. I told this doctor that infections can linger deep in the joint, and it will take a better longer to reach with antiobiotics. Later that evening, I felt something pop in my finger, which happened to be abscess XXXXXXX lose from the doctor bending my finger. I started to feel staph germs spreading to other parts of my body very fast. Luckily, I still had two Clindamycin pills left, and I decided to hold tight and tell the orthopedic that I was going to see next day what was going on with my finger.
I saw the orthopedic today, and I got the same run around that I got from the previous doctor. By the way, I have a HMO insurance, which could explain the crappy service. I feel okay today. I have slight pains in different parts of my internal organs, fingers on the opposite hand, and foot, but it is manageable. I feel kind of light headed, but a bit okay. At least coherent enough to write this lengthy message. I am worried that the staph leaked to my brain and different parts of my body.
My original doctor has agreed to refill my Clindamycin, and I still have Doxycline left over. I am thinking that the Clindamycin can take care of the body infection, and the Doxycline can take of the brain infection if any. I am trying to see what I can do, before I run the ER as a way to work around my HMO doctors, but I don't want to get turned around like before, saying that nothing is wrong. What should I do? If you think I can self-treat, how should I take the two antibiotics? I know Clindamycin should be taken with food and Doxycline away from food. Thanks.
I had a staph infection in my finger, which resulted in my finger always pointing straight. The wound healed, but there was still abscess in the finger. I was given Doxycline for 2 weeks to clear up the infection, but I was having slight headaches with it, so I was given Clindamycin instead. I was getting disappointed after week 1, and no results, so I decided to do some things that will help the Clindamycin work better. I started taking monolaurin and proteolytic enzymes, and indeed the antiobiotic started to penetrate much deeper than before. I was about to run out of Clindamycin, so I went back to see another doctor at the same office to get a perscription.
This new doctor told me that I no longer had an infection, and tried the bend my finger with force. I told this new doctor that I still feel the Clindamycin still killing germs when I take it, so it is doing something. I told this doctor that infections can linger deep in the joint, and it will take a better longer to reach with antiobiotics. Later that evening, I felt something pop in my finger, which happened to be abscess XXXXXXX lose from the doctor bending my finger. I started to feel staph germs spreading to other parts of my body very fast. Luckily, I still had two Clindamycin pills left, and I decided to hold tight and tell the orthopedic that I was going to see next day what was going on with my finger.
I saw the orthopedic today, and I got the same run around that I got from the previous doctor. By the way, I have a HMO insurance, which could explain the crappy service. I feel okay today. I have slight pains in different parts of my internal organs, fingers on the opposite hand, and foot, but it is manageable. I feel kind of light headed, but a bit okay. At least coherent enough to write this lengthy message. I am worried that the staph leaked to my brain and different parts of my body.
My original doctor has agreed to refill my Clindamycin, and I still have Doxycline left over. I am thinking that the Clindamycin can take care of the body infection, and the Doxycline can take of the brain infection if any. I am trying to see what I can do, before I run the ER as a way to work around my HMO doctors, but I don't want to get turned around like before, saying that nothing is wrong. What should I do? If you think I can self-treat, how should I take the two antibiotics? I know Clindamycin should be taken with food and Doxycline away from food. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
I think you should seek a new clinical encounter
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Digit infections range from very mild that may get better without treatment to severe ones that threaten the digit itself. If pus had been accumulating inside the pulp of the finger then unless this pus is drained, it would be hard to fight the infection. Pus drainage sometimes happens spontaneously (without medical intervention).
Clindamycin is very good for cases like yours but the antibiotic cannot enter the cavity that harbors the pus. If your infection does not get any better, or if it's getting worse you should seek another clinical encounter with the same or a different doctor who will be able to decide whether surgical or conservative is treatment needed.
You shouldn't probably worry about staphylococcus migrating to your brain because this is a very rare situation and it's very hard to happen when you're taking antibiotics. Also please note that continuous use of antibiotics invariably leads to resistant pathogens. This means that you should use the antibiotics your doctor prescribed to you and avoid self-treatment. If you don't trust your doctor, you should try another!
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please let me know.
I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
I think you should seek a new clinical encounter
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Digit infections range from very mild that may get better without treatment to severe ones that threaten the digit itself. If pus had been accumulating inside the pulp of the finger then unless this pus is drained, it would be hard to fight the infection. Pus drainage sometimes happens spontaneously (without medical intervention).
Clindamycin is very good for cases like yours but the antibiotic cannot enter the cavity that harbors the pus. If your infection does not get any better, or if it's getting worse you should seek another clinical encounter with the same or a different doctor who will be able to decide whether surgical or conservative is treatment needed.
You shouldn't probably worry about staphylococcus migrating to your brain because this is a very rare situation and it's very hard to happen when you're taking antibiotics. Also please note that continuous use of antibiotics invariably leads to resistant pathogens. This means that you should use the antibiotics your doctor prescribed to you and avoid self-treatment. If you don't trust your doctor, you should try another!
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please let me know.
I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello,
Thanks for your response. I didn't take antibiotics the day that the rupture occurred. I waited three hours after the rupture to take antibiotics, so it could have gotten places unattended. Basically, my course of antibiotics was not consistent when the rupture initially occurred. I do feel achy a bit all over my body, but it is manageable. Just worried about my brain most of all. I am probably going to go to the ER and ask for an antibiotic IV, possibly drain my finger further, and take a prescription or regime of Clindamycin and Doxycline. I know, I am going to be disappointed...
Thanks for your response. I didn't take antibiotics the day that the rupture occurred. I waited three hours after the rupture to take antibiotics, so it could have gotten places unattended. Basically, my course of antibiotics was not consistent when the rupture initially occurred. I do feel achy a bit all over my body, but it is manageable. Just worried about my brain most of all. I am probably going to go to the ER and ask for an antibiotic IV, possibly drain my finger further, and take a prescription or regime of Clindamycin and Doxycline. I know, I am going to be disappointed...
Brief Answer:
Things are clear most of the times
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As I've already written, you shouldn't worry that much about getting staphylococcus in the brain. If pathogens could enter the brain that easily, then the human race would have been wiped out thousands of years before! Besides that, central nervous system infections are very severe and having no symptoms just proves you don't have one!
Most of the times the doctor can assess whether a conservative treatment is an option or not. Clindamycin is a fine choice for the treatment. Otherwise surgical intervention is needed. If your case is the latter, then taking more antibiotics either intravenously or by mouth, won't make any difference. What would be needed is drainage of the pus AND antibiotics. Without both drainage and antibiotics the results could be minimal.
Doxycycline is not going to add anything to your treatment, unless pathogens other than staphylococcus are suspected.
Your better shot is to go to the ER or any doctor and let them assess your digit. You couldn't possibly know more about antibiotics than a doctor does even if you've searched the internet for hours. Please show some trust on your doctor or -if this is not possible- find another doctor. But whatever you do, please let the doctors do what they're trained for. Nobody can become a doctor by reading stuff on the internet! It's not right and it can be dangerous for your health too!
Of course, I'll be available if I can help you clarify things.
Kind Regards!
Things are clear most of the times
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As I've already written, you shouldn't worry that much about getting staphylococcus in the brain. If pathogens could enter the brain that easily, then the human race would have been wiped out thousands of years before! Besides that, central nervous system infections are very severe and having no symptoms just proves you don't have one!
Most of the times the doctor can assess whether a conservative treatment is an option or not. Clindamycin is a fine choice for the treatment. Otherwise surgical intervention is needed. If your case is the latter, then taking more antibiotics either intravenously or by mouth, won't make any difference. What would be needed is drainage of the pus AND antibiotics. Without both drainage and antibiotics the results could be minimal.
Doxycycline is not going to add anything to your treatment, unless pathogens other than staphylococcus are suspected.
Your better shot is to go to the ER or any doctor and let them assess your digit. You couldn't possibly know more about antibiotics than a doctor does even if you've searched the internet for hours. Please show some trust on your doctor or -if this is not possible- find another doctor. But whatever you do, please let the doctors do what they're trained for. Nobody can become a doctor by reading stuff on the internet! It's not right and it can be dangerous for your health too!
Of course, I'll be available if I can help you clarify things.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks Doc! I am going to sleep on this issue tonight. Just know when I close this topic, I will give you the highest rating possible.
Brief Answer:
Glad to be of help!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I'm glad if I've helped a bit.
You can contact me, if you need further guidance.
I hope you get better soon.
Best wishes!
Glad to be of help!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I'm glad if I've helped a bit.
You can contact me, if you need further guidance.
I hope you get better soon.
Best wishes!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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