(592) Hyoso (ひょうそ) Felon, 爪周囲炎(paronychia)

 I found the end of the nail was cracked and peeled off. I plucked it away from the nail of forefinger. I didn't mind it had hurt a little since then.

 Friday night, I experienced strong pain at the tip of the index finger of my right hand. The finger was swollen. After going to bed, it started aching. It was getting more and more painful. It was so painful that I couldn't sleep at all. Not exaggerating, really I thought this is how people die with pain.

 The next morning, I googled what this disease is. I did research on a painful and swollen finger. Instantly I found exactly the same picture of a swollen finger as mine. It said it is a felon. I started searching for nearby skin doctors and drug stores. All hospitals were closed because it was Saturday. I phoned the nearest drug store from Hotel Kanazawa. A clerk answered my call. I asked if she has any anti-infection medicines. She said yes. So, I went to the store and explained my finger's condition. I could get an ointment without a doctor's prescription. I joined two meetings and a dinner party with a swollen finger applied to the ointment several times.

At night my finger pained less. I could fall asleep. But I woke up early in the morning and found my whole index finger got swollen.

 I attended a short tour of the Noh museum and Kenrokuen garden keeping my swollen finger upright.

 But I felt it was getting better. White sticky liquid was getting out around the nail of the finger.

 I returned to Matsuyama from Kanazawa. Monday my finger was still red and swollen a little.

 I went to a skin doctor and explained how it had been painful. I continued, this occurred from the wound caused by plucking away a nail hangnail. The doctor looked at my finger a little and said, "It is a common finger trouble, don't worry, I'll give you medicine taken orally for five days. You may keep using the ointment.' That was all. I was a little disappointed. Have you ever experienced this serious pain of a finger?