What medication should be used for inflamed, red, and swollen fingers?

Generally, common medications used for inflamed and swollen fingers include mupirocin ointment, erythromycin ointment, fusidic acid cream, ichthammol ointment, and povidone-iodine solution. Specific details are as follows:

1. Mupirocin Ointment: This is a topical antibiotic ointment that effectively inhibits bacterial growth causing finger inflammation, reduces redness, swelling, and pain, and promotes resolution of the inflammation. It is suitable for bacterial infections leading to finger inflammation and swelling, such as early-stage mild paronychia.

2. Erythromycin Ointment: With antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and a mild formulation, it helps relieve inflammation and swelling caused by minor infections or injuries. It also forms a protective film on the skin surface to reduce external irritation and prevent worsening of infection. It is ideal for everyday use in cases of mild inflammation.

3. Fusidic Acid Cream: It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, providing strong antibacterial effects. It is effective in controlling moderate inflammation-related redness and pain in fingers, quickly reducing inflammatory responses and aiding recovery of damaged skin. It is suitable for more apparent infection symptoms.

4. Ichthammol Ointment: Known for its hard mass-softening, dispersing, and anti-inflammatory effects, it helps soften nodules at the site of finger inflammation and facilitates pus drainage. It is suitable for swollen fingers accompanied by hard lumps or unruptured abscesses, helping accelerate resolution of inflammation.

5. Povidone-Iodine Solution: Offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, effectively killing bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. With minimal irritation, it can be used for daily disinfection of inflamed and swollen areas of the fingers to prevent infection spread, laying the foundation for subsequent treatment and recovery.

Before applying medication, clean the affected area with normal saline to remove secretions. Apply the ointment gently, avoiding vigorous rubbing. If redness and swelling worsen after medication, or if pus develops or fever occurs, seek medical attention promptly.