Seal finger
Seal finger
Seal finger (/'si:l 'fɪŋɡər/), also known as sealer's finger or spekk finger, is a type of infection that can occur after handling the carcass of a seal.
Etymology
The term "seal finger" originates from the English words "seal", referring to the marine mammal, and "finger", referring to the part of the hand often affected by this condition. The term "spekk finger" is derived from the Norwegian word "spekk", meaning blubber, and "finger".
Definition
Seal finger is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the fingers and hands. It is typically contracted by seal hunters who come into direct contact with seal carcasses, particularly the blubber and blood of the animal. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin.
Symptoms
Symptoms of seal finger include swelling, pain, and redness in the affected area. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes and cause fever and malaise.
Treatment
Treatment for seal finger typically involves antibiotics, particularly those effective against Mycoplasma species, which are often responsible for the infection. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain abscesses or debride infected tissue.
Prevention
Prevention of seal finger involves using protective gloves when handling seal carcasses and promptly cleaning and disinfecting any wounds that may come into contact with seal blood or blubber.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Seal finger
- Wikipedia's article - Seal finger
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski