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What Causes Swelling On Thumb?
Posted on
Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Answered on
Thu, 26 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
Last Thursday I had swelling in the back of my right hand and went to a walk in care in my local area the PA diagnosed me with cellulitis and gave me an anti biotic which has worked in the hand. I woke up this morning with a lot of swelling in my left thumb with restricted movement. I called to get into my Dr. Today but I could not get in. I work with my hands so being out of work for a long time is not an option.
Thanks
Last Thursday I had swelling in the back of my right hand and went to a walk in care in my local area the PA diagnosed me with cellulitis and gave me an anti biotic which has worked in the hand. I woke up this morning with a lot of swelling in my left thumb with restricted movement. I called to get into my Dr. Today but I could not get in. I work with my hands so being out of work for a long time is not an option.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Icing,elevation, analgesic ,antibiotics are of use
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing healthcaremagic for posting your query
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,
I have gone through your question in detail and understand your concern. You are having swelling of your left thumb. There may be mild cellulitis as you have already recovered from cellulitis of right hand. You can take analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. You can take same antibiotics which was effective in your right hand. Vitamin B and C is helpful in recovery. Icing is helpful. Elevation and active thumb movement is helpful in reducing swelling. You can discuss with your treating doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
Wishing you a good health
Take care
Icing,elevation, analgesic ,antibiotics are of use
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing healthcaremagic for posting your query
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,
I have gone through your question in detail and understand your concern. You are having swelling of your left thumb. There may be mild cellulitis as you have already recovered from cellulitis of right hand. You can take analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. You can take same antibiotics which was effective in your right hand. Vitamin B and C is helpful in recovery. Icing is helpful. Elevation and active thumb movement is helpful in reducing swelling. You can discuss with your treating doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
Wishing you a good health
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thanks for your response Dr. I guess I did not understand how already being on an antibiotic I would get cellulitis some where else on the body in a different joint. Is this common? It is a pinkish color. I just wanted to rule out arthritis and gout.
Brief Answer:
It is uncommon
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It is not common. But it is possible as there source of infection available. It may be possible that causative bacteria lodged at place before start of antibiotic and started multiply later. It cannot be said due to gout or arthritis only on one or two days of history. If you has previous evidence of arthritis or gout or increased uric acid level then it is possible to be gout or arthritis. Rest already been discussed.You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho
Wishing you good health
Take care
It is uncommon
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It is not common. But it is possible as there source of infection available. It may be possible that causative bacteria lodged at place before start of antibiotic and started multiply later. It cannot be said due to gout or arthritis only on one or two days of history. If you has previous evidence of arthritis or gout or increased uric acid level then it is possible to be gout or arthritis. Rest already been discussed.You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho
Wishing you good health
Take care
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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