Question: I had a swollen thumb which was extremely painful round the nail bed and the thumb was red and hot I felt extremely unwell went to A & E Sunday evening for advice. Locum or doctor said I had rheumatoid arthritis and asked if I had done anything to it and when did I notice it. I had fallen over in the street and landed on my hands so thought it was that! He decided I had broken a little bone in my knuckle and to put a splint on it and micropore taped it up and said see a certain doc at my health centre who deals with rheumatoid arthritis, told to leave splint on tillthis Friday. I went to docs surgery on Monday cos I was in agony and was told to come back later in the week! By yesterday I was in agony and didn't know what I was doing decided to go back and queue for an appointment, did this, and was seen last night. Doc took splint off and tape and I was in agony my thumb is now stiff and swollen and the skin around the nail bed is black. I am worried as got no advice whether to bathe it and in what or anything just a course of Flucloxacillin Capsules I must say I do feel better in myself but if I hadnt gone back I dread to think what the outcome would have been. Any advice would be appreciated - thankyou,