Suggest Treatment For Itching And Swelling On The Fingers

Posted on Sat, 10 Oct 2015

Question: A red thing from the Bromeliad plant got into my finger and was absorbed, as a result it is extremely itchy, swollen, and there are a number of tiny bumps. I've put an assortment of medications on it, in hopes of it not spreading anymore. What kind of doctor would I see for this?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Allergist or general physician or immunologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The best doctor to see would be an allergic specialist or a general physician.

The first step would be to start you off on anti-histamine medications and to also look for any possible remnants from the part of the plant that got into you. From there on either removal of any residual matter from your system or continuation of continuation of medications that can suppress the symptoms you are experiencing along with expediting the process of removal of any matter that is causing the symptoms.

Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarificatjmions, I am always here to help.

Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 hours later)

If I could see residual matter, I would have attempted to remove it, as one would remove a splinter. The bumps tells me there is growth, and my greatest concern is it getting into my "system." I have been able to "control" the itchiness, which comes and goes, and I would rather not ingest something such as an antihistamine. I do not believe I mentioned having used vinegar. I had not mentioned, prior to my use of anything topical, I have a thin layer of dead skin near the entry point, which is not now visible (I saw the red thing, so I know the entry place). My finger is quite calm now, no soreness nor itchiness. I am new to this area, and do not know the doctors, that is why I took this route for advice. I also am quite curious as to what it is all about, never having experienced such. I do have occasion to visit the area where I previously lived, and know well a number of physicians. With your response to me, I did not get a sense of urgency. If another flare up occurs, I will visit a doctor in that locale, for I find it difficult to locate physicians locally, without having to join a "group." With your response, I did not get a sense of urgency.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not urgent, but will require treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Any foreign body lodged either permanently or temporarily into the human body can result in a reaction either allergic (due to the foreign body itself) or possibly an infection resulting from the foreign body not being sterile.

So the first thing a doctor would do is to clean the region and apply a topical antibiotic like neosporin to prevent an infection and also initiate you on anti-histamines if at all this is a hypersensitivty reaction. As you do not wish to take anti-histamines (which are actually harmless ma'am), then you could go about cleaning the region, applying neosporin and apply a sterile dressing for 2-3 days (changing the dressing everyday).

If at all you do not observe an improvement in the presentation then I would recommend you visit the doctors you trust in the region where you previously resided.

Yes ma'am, I do not see any serious cause for concern or urgency to seek medicwl treatment but that does not mean I wouldn't like to treat you as soon as I see you in my clinic. So go about keeping the region clean and preventing an infection for now, and lets hope this suffices.

Please also do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar