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Common Hand Injuries and Infections: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Reginald Cox

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Your hands are one of your most important assets. They allow you to do everything from work to play to care for yourself and your loved ones. But your hands are also vulnerable to a variety of injuries and infections. These injuries can range from minor cuts and scrapes to more serious injuries such as fractures and dislocations. Infections can also be a problem, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

Common Hand Injuries and Infections: A Practical Approach for Early Treatment

by Peter Carter

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This guide will provide you with information on the most common hand injuries and infections, including:

Causes and symptoms
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment

By following the advice in this guide, you can help protect your hands from harm and keep them healthy and functioning properly.

Common Hand Injuries

There are many different types of hand injuries, but some of the most common include:

Cuts and scrapes: These are the most common type of hand injury. They can be caused by anything from a sharp knife to a piece of paper. Most cuts and scrapes are minor and will heal on their own within a few days. However, deeper cuts may require stitches or other medical treatment.
Bruises: Bruises are caused by blunt force trauma to the hand. They can range in size from small to large and may be accompanied by pain, swelling, and discoloration. Most bruises will heal on their own within a few weeks.
Sprains: Sprains are caused by overstretching or tearing a ligament. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to each other. Sprains can range in severity from mild to severe. Mild sprains may only cause pain and swelling, while severe sprains may require surgery.
Fractures: Fractures are caused by a break in a bone. Fractures can range in severity from hairline fractures to complete breaks. Most fractures will require some type of medical treatment, such as a cast or surgery.
Dislocations: Dislocations occur when a bone is forced out of its normal position. Dislocations can be painful and may damage ligaments and other tissues. Most dislocations will require medical treatment to put the bone back in place.

Common Hand Infections

There are also a number of different types of hand infections, but some of the most common include:

Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissues. It can be caused by a variety of different bacteria, including staphylococcus and streptococcus. Cellulitis can range in severity from mild to severe. Mild cases may only cause redness, swelling, and pain, while severe cases can lead to sepsis and other life-threatening complications.
Paronychia: Paronychia is an infection of the nail fold. It is most commonly caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi or viruses. Paronychia can be painful and may lead to swelling, redness, and drainage. In severe cases, paronychia can damage the nail and nail bed.
Herpetic whitlow: Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection of the fingers. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpetic whitlow can be painful and may cause blisters, sores, and swelling. In severe cases, herpetic whitlow can spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Fungal infections: Fungal infections of the hand are caused by a variety of different fungi. Fungal infections can range in severity from mild to severe. Mild cases may only cause itching, redness, and scaling, while severe cases can lead to nail damage and other complications.