What should I use to soak an infected finger?

Soak an infected finger in very warm water that is hot enough to make the hand red, according to hand surgeon David Lincoln Nelson, M.D. Doing this increases blood supply to the finger. When blood supply is increased, white cells that fight infection come to the surface.

The natural infection-fighting cells produced with hot water soaks also produce antibiotics to fight off an infection of the finger, according to Dr. Nelson. Soak the finger for 20 minutes at least five times a day. If desired, and if the skin is broken, it may help to add Epsom salts or betadyne to the hot water before soaking.