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What Causes Recurring Painful Raised Bump On Finger?

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Posted on Mon, 13 Jun 2016
Question: Trying to figure out what is causing a recurring painful raised bump between the distal knuckle and nail of my long finger. I saw my doctor who wasn't sure what it was but prescribed a week of Augmentin thinking it might be infected. He had me get an xray which was negative. The redness and swelling resolved but the skin did not return to normal and then it swelled up again. Today I pushed the area around it and a small intact blob of a clear jelly-like substance popped out of the center, but it stayed on my finger like a little ball until I wiped it off. It was stringy. That helped ease the pain (which seems to be worse at night), but now there is a small white circle of slightly raised skin with a central hole in it. What could this be? Should I be concerned? YYYY@YYYY
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Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it's an infected blister..follow the advises strictly as mentioned below..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX, Welcome to HCM,

I've gone through your query , reviewed those images and understand your concern..

Well from your initial description it sounded like a Boil but these uploaded images are depicting as a simple Blister to start with , which later on got infected , thus you'd those symptoms like redness, pain, inflammation , and pus formation(presently)..

X-ray has no role in it at all.. it's a skin and soft tissue infection which is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus and / Streptococcus (they reside on our skin as a normal commensal, occasionally infect the tissues with ulcers and mucosal breach or due to manipulation )..

You need to follow the advises that I'm mentioning below, really strictly to get it resolved over a period of time (no Short-cut in this)....

First of all Do Not try to push it ever again (like you've already done) because our manipulation will further complicate the infection, making it from a single bacteria to multi-bacterial infection- a physician's nightmare to treat !!

So no touching the area without medical supervision..

Secondly you need to Continue AUGMENTIN for another full week (I believe you're given 625 mg twice to thrice daily), complete the full course as the most common organisms are all sensitive to it, so most likely it'll resolve the infectious part..

Next , you need to get 1% Potassium Permanganet , it's readily available in all chemist shops and variety stores, put on a disposable glove and just take a small pinch of powder and mix it in 1-2 Ltr of XXXXXXX warm water and put just the affected part of your finger for 5-10 min twice daily for next 2-3 days and it'll fasten the recovery process like anything.. now that being said , there's an after effect of this therapy , which is brown stain of the region - takes time to go away.. So choice is up to you..

If you're not Comfortable with the stain , then simply put salt in XXXXXXX warm water and dip your finger in ..

this is the inflammatory phase which, with appropriate therapy, will take another few days to pass by..skin takes time to return to normalcy- up to 2 weeks(depending on one's on immunity and any other medical illness) in this kind of infections, so please be patient..

After the redness subsides and antibiotics course is over, you can put plenty of moisturizer over the area..

Remember, don't cover the area, no application of any Band-aids anymore , it'll trap moisture in , causing delay in healing, and further complication..

As of now, nothing to worry, just follow the advises and try to keep the area dry, avoid any direct contact to it..


I hope I've cleared your doubts, if you're having any more please feel free to ask..

Take Care
Kind regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Arnab

Critical Care Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1479 Questions

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What Causes Recurring Painful Raised Bump On Finger?

Brief Answer: it's an infected blister..follow the advises strictly as mentioned below.. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX, Welcome to HCM, I've gone through your query , reviewed those images and understand your concern.. Well from your initial description it sounded like a Boil but these uploaded images are depicting as a simple Blister to start with , which later on got infected , thus you'd those symptoms like redness, pain, inflammation , and pus formation(presently).. X-ray has no role in it at all.. it's a skin and soft tissue infection which is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus and / Streptococcus (they reside on our skin as a normal commensal, occasionally infect the tissues with ulcers and mucosal breach or due to manipulation ).. You need to follow the advises that I'm mentioning below, really strictly to get it resolved over a period of time (no Short-cut in this).... First of all Do Not try to push it ever again (like you've already done) because our manipulation will further complicate the infection, making it from a single bacteria to multi-bacterial infection- a physician's nightmare to treat !! So no touching the area without medical supervision.. Secondly you need to Continue AUGMENTIN for another full week (I believe you're given 625 mg twice to thrice daily), complete the full course as the most common organisms are all sensitive to it, so most likely it'll resolve the infectious part.. Next , you need to get 1% Potassium Permanganet , it's readily available in all chemist shops and variety stores, put on a disposable glove and just take a small pinch of powder and mix it in 1-2 Ltr of XXXXXXX warm water and put just the affected part of your finger for 5-10 min twice daily for next 2-3 days and it'll fasten the recovery process like anything.. now that being said , there's an after effect of this therapy , which is brown stain of the region - takes time to go away.. So choice is up to you.. If you're not Comfortable with the stain , then simply put salt in XXXXXXX warm water and dip your finger in .. this is the inflammatory phase which, with appropriate therapy, will take another few days to pass by..skin takes time to return to normalcy- up to 2 weeks(depending on one's on immunity and any other medical illness) in this kind of infections, so please be patient.. After the redness subsides and antibiotics course is over, you can put plenty of moisturizer over the area.. Remember, don't cover the area, no application of any Band-aids anymore , it'll trap moisture in , causing delay in healing, and further complication.. As of now, nothing to worry, just follow the advises and try to keep the area dry, avoid any direct contact to it.. I hope I've cleared your doubts, if you're having any more please feel free to ask.. Take Care Kind regards