I Am Currently Experiencing Swelling In My Thumb. It Started

Posted on Mon, 23 Dec 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 Answered on

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Question : I am currently experiencing swelling in my thumb. It started with a simple itch like you would have after an insect bite, after 2 days it has swollen to the point that the pain is almost unbearable at times . My entire thumb is hard. Mafe a tiny head but so far only a very small amount of clear has oozed.After 2 years of this happening off and on with both hands ,any given finger I have come to know its NOT an insect bite, NOT a splinter or the like. Any ideas on whats happening here or what i can do to relieve this pressure? The first couple of times it happened i did treat it like an insect or spider bite......used potato pulp to draw it. But last time that did not work it actually added to my discomfort. Last time was also the first time i experienced the hardnes, about a month ago. In all i would say since Feb.2017 this has occurred 5-7 times

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Conditions like paronychia must be considered.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Consult a general surgeon at the earliest and get evaluated. Conditions like paronychia must be considered.
There might be pus collection at the finger tip which must be drained. Antibiotics should be started preferably amoxclav or cefuroxime.
Analgesics/anti inflammatory combination like aceclofenac/seratiopeptdase for symptomatic relief.
An ingrown nail can cause repeated attacks of the symptoms.
Wishing all the best

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (14 hours later)

Thank you for your time and input.. I do appreciate all of the efforts on your part as well as the staff who have been passing information along in order to help me be able to get the answer you provided. I could never get logged onto my dashboard. Apparently i could not correctly recall the password I had been given but it was telling me there was no information there anyway.
Paronychia, i looked it up. Infection pf the tissue,which sounds like what is going on with me except none of these occurrences have involed the cuticle or been near my nail really. There is always fever though and the slightest touch is painful as if the skin is blistered . Once the fever breaks my skin actually peels off as if it has been burned. As i said the last 2 times this has occurred , there has been a hardness present that i dont recall having before. With my thumb this time the hardness and swelling still remains at the back knuckle, which is actually where it began. There has been puss but it definitely needs to drain some more. I could send picture but im sure that even if you came to closer diagnosing me that you would still want me to go see a doctor. I do not have medical insurance coverage.. I clean house for a living but am currently not even working full time. I do thank you again though for your time. Have a Merry Christmas

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A picture would be more helpful to make a conclusion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you can attach a picture it will be helpful to make a conclusion.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D