Okay, I am bringing her to the doctor first thing a.m., so I am not looking for a cure here. lol. I am just baffled and wonder what this could be. My 16 year old daughter started complaining about her finger this morning. It just looked a bit swollen at the time. Since then, it has gotten very red, around the entire nail area on one side. It is very hot to the touch. She says it burns and itches. She also says the pain goes through her entire finger. I was thinking spider bite, but do not see any bite.

Anyone have any idea? Could it be a bite, even though I don't see one?

__________________
"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

Just a guess here, but infected cuticle, maybe? Hope everything's okay!

Yep, that's what I would say. I've had cuticles get infected more than a few times from hang nails and because I'm a nail biter.

__________________
Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

hmmm. I thought of that, but how would that happen? It is more to the side of her nail on one side.

__________________
"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

That happened to my son when he was younger.... he had gotten a small thorn in his finger and got infected really quick. It was hot to the touch and red and swollen. The doctor took care of it. Can't really remember what they did to take care of it... it was quite a while back.

Easily. Usually mine happen on the side when I tear back a piece of nail. But cuticles can become irritated or dry from everyday things, gardening, cleaning, shuffling papers, you name it. Even if nothing damaged them, it just takes a few of the right germs under the cuticle or side of the nail to start an infection.

It could also be spider bite, a splinter, an infected paper cut or a number of other things too.

__________________
Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

Is it in the joint?
Does ice help? Does ibuprofen seem to help?

Could be a variety of things from a splinter, to some sort of insect bite, to rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr is a good idea--because it could be something minor to something more serious.

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I always check Web MD

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Soak it several times in warm, soapy water and see if that helps.

Red, hot, and swollen means infection. Did see have her nails done? Sometimes that causes an infection. She needs to see a doctor.

Thanks guys. I am waiting now to call the Dr. She has not had her nails done. The one time I let her do that for a school dance, she ripped her thumb nail off at softball practice. That was an ugly mess!

Will let you know when we get back what he says.

__________________
"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I vote for infected cuticle/hangnail.

I get infected hangnails all teh time because I can't learn that you shouldn't pull a hang nail. The area next to my nail will swell, get red and hot and hurt like crazy. I usually soak it in hot water then pour peroxide on it then cover it with some neosporin and a bandaid.

Hopefully this is all your daughter has. Painful, but easy to treat and once you know what it is and what do, it's very easy to treat at home should it happen again.

__________________
Jesus SAVES by shopping smartly and using double coupons!

I'd say a either an infected cuticle or maybe even an ingrown nail. Try soaking it in warm water with epsom salts to see if it gives her any relief. I did that with an ingrown toenail and it provided a world of relief!

Hope it feels better quickly! Let us know what the Dr says.

Yeast infection? Someone I know online, her daughter would get yeast infections and sometimes they would happen under her nails.

__________________
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking

Any update on your dd Groovygirl please let us know and sincerely hope all is well heathwise for her . Peace and may she feel better soon. Catherine

Well, I forgot to come back here....lol. He took us right away this morning. It is some sort of infection, but he can't be sure what or how. Could have been a bite, but not sure. Anyway, my genius daughter "popped" it with a needle before we left, thinking if she drained it, I would not bring her in. A bunch of pus came out. He scolded her for using a needle that had not been cleaned and gave her an oral antibiotic, told her to soak it, etc. I hope it looks better by morning, cause it is nasty looking!

__________________
"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

sounds like it was an ingrown finger nail. I used to gt them all the tem when i was prengnant. i got so big and swelled up from fluid that my nails pressed against my skin. got a smaoll puss pocket there.