[Hand infections : when to consult a hand surgeon ?]

The hand is an anatomical site frequently affected by infection due to its central role in all daily activities. It is therefore regularly the site of wounds (contused, penetrating, insect stings, bites, etc.), all of which are potential entry points for infections. Recognition by the general practitioner of the red flags requiring an urgent specialist consultation is therefore essential in order to improve the patient's functional prognosis, determined by the initial management. In this article, we focus on the most frequent situations encountered in primary care.