Possible Skin Conditions

The fingers are always coming in contact with the environment around us. The 2 main types of problems affecting fingers can be divided by cause. Chemical injuries from things like household products, plants, and animals can cause allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis. Often, small cuts or abrasions on our fingers can allow entry for infections to set in. Warts and herpes infections (herpes infection on the hand is called herpetic whitlow) are viral infections that affect the finger. Bacteria can cause a local skin infection, called cellulitis, or an abscess around the nail, called a paronychia. Bacterial infections can be very serious and should be evaluated by a physician. Click the links below for information about these and other conditions that affect the fingers in adults.