infection on finger that wont heal

basino

It's a patch of skin just below the finger nail covering maybe 25% of my middle finger. I've had it for at least 2 months now. Sometimes the skin gets really dry and flaky, which causes it to crack and reveal little cut-like wounds. A few times pimple-like bumps have broken out all over the area. Eventually it settles down and seems to be healing. But after a while the cycle begins again.

At my job, my hands constantly come in contact with water which I think worsens the condition. I've tried to cover it with a bandage and apply moisturizer but that doesn't seem to effect it much.

Is this something that can be really serious? I want to get it checked out at a doctor but I have no insurance atm.

Pardon the shitty image quality from my webcam:

robotbebop

I can't really see what the problem is, but I can tell it's gross. Go see a doctor, put some peroxide on it, etc, etc..

Kinda looks like a wart actually. Are there tiny little black dots all over it?

Derrick

What kind of skin do you have in general? Is it normally dry? Ashy elbows? Dry eyelids?

My roommate in college just had very dry skin and was constantly getting dry spots that would split and bleed on his fingers, usually around the knuckles. Mostly I think he just put moisturizer on it and that was about it, even after seeing a dermatologist. It was always worse in the colder months of the year.

Pheezer

See a doctor if you can, but it's probably just something you'll need to get used to. Start using hand moisturizer though. A lot of people who don't have any abnormal exposure to water need to use moisturizer to prevent cracking and flaking, especially during the drier winter months. People who work in kitchens and other occupations that increase water exposure definitely should be. I really fucked my hands up one winter when I was a prep cook by not using a good moisturizer.

And it can be very cheap, too. Something with aloe vera is always nice, but isn't even necessary. Make sure you get the mildest, unscented stuff you can, and buy it in quantity if you can because it's much, much cheaper that way.

Chenjesu

Definitely see a doctor. It sounds very similar to something I have on both hands and feet, particularly the little blisters. Eczema has similar symptoms to this, and it might be eczema for you. Alternatively, some chemicals can cause sensitization reactions which have similar symptoms. (Industrial feedstocks, not household chemicals)

The doctor may be able to find the cause, and even if not, they can prescribe steroid creme which will help a lot. See a doctor.

stigweard

It looks a little like impetigo, but it is really hard to tell from the photo. See a doctor and get a cream for it. I had something similar (forget what it was now) when I cut my knuckle once. Every time I made a fist or picked something up, it would crack and the sore would get larger. I got some special anti bacterial cream to put on it and it went away within 5 days.

basino

I think it might be eczema because google image has some that look similar to what I have. Should I go to a dermatologist or a general doctor?

corcorigan

General doctor, get referred if it's serious, get sent home if you just need some moisturiser.

Pheezer

Most places require you to be referred to see a specialist.