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Two Fingers Swollen, Purplish, Itchy. What Could It Be?
I think that 2 of my fingers have frostbite, but am not sure. One finger was swollen at the tip and the other swollen in the middle 2 days later. The first one started about 8 days ago and is now turning kinda purpleish . Both are still swollen about 1 1/2 times the size of normal. Up until today both itched. Any thoughts?
Mon, 11 Feb 2013
Hello Thomas
From your description seems to me you are having gout attack even though rare in upper extremities but do occur. It is also possible that you could be having polyarthritis, multiple cellulitis, rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor will need to run a series of test to determine the specific cause. Tests should include ASLO, serum uric acid, RF, blood panel (to determine if signs of inflammation) etc X-ray or other imagery scans can be done.
Antigout medications, allopurinol and colchicine will need to be started to treat the gout. If other causes determined then treat specifically. Antibiotics and antiinflammatory might be needed.
Hope this helps
From your description seems to me you are having gout attack even though rare in upper extremities but do occur. It is also possible that you could be having polyarthritis, multiple cellulitis, rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor will need to run a series of test to determine the specific cause. Tests should include ASLO, serum uric acid, RF, blood panel (to determine if signs of inflammation) etc X-ray or other imagery scans can be done.
Antigout medications, allopurinol and colchicine will need to be started to treat the gout. If other causes determined then treat specifically. Antibiotics and antiinflammatory might be needed.
Hope this helps
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hI Tom,
swelling with pain generally indicates an inflammation. Depending on whether you have an associated high fever or not, this could be due to a bacterial infection. Low grade fever or absence of fever associated with this swelling could be caused by other causes of inflammation. This could be auto immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. But in these conditions, the swelling is usually on both sides.
A clinical evaluation to ascertain all these, with appropriate blood exams especially to look for markers of inflammation and a complete blood count for a probable infection could be needed. In some cases, an X ray could be worth doing.
Consulting the family physician for a proper evaluation and prescription of appropriate tests an exams is a reasonable option that I propose.
Nice time as I wish you just the best,
Hope this helps,
Luchuo, MD.
swelling with pain generally indicates an inflammation. Depending on whether you have an associated high fever or not, this could be due to a bacterial infection. Low grade fever or absence of fever associated with this swelling could be caused by other causes of inflammation. This could be auto immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. But in these conditions, the swelling is usually on both sides.
A clinical evaluation to ascertain all these, with appropriate blood exams especially to look for markers of inflammation and a complete blood count for a probable infection could be needed. In some cases, an X ray could be worth doing.
Consulting the family physician for a proper evaluation and prescription of appropriate tests an exams is a reasonable option that I propose.
Nice time as I wish you just the best,
Hope this helps,
Luchuo, MD.
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1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hi welcome to Health care magic forum. As you look it is abnormal, and troubling you, leave about the reasons , you are expected to see a doctor for relief.
The reason might be allergy or infection, allergy might be due to contact of some allergen like rings etc. Infection could be due to injury like prick, or with out any reason.
Besides i advise you some diet recommendations as avoid taking pulses, fissh, and potato as these tend to increase the pus. If it is infection it need to be drained by a surgeon.
avoid taking sea foods and brinjal as these may tend to increase the allergy.
Wishing for a quick recovery and thanks for calling.
The reason might be allergy or infection, allergy might be due to contact of some allergen like rings etc. Infection could be due to injury like prick, or with out any reason.
Besides i advise you some diet recommendations as avoid taking pulses, fissh, and potato as these tend to increase the pus. If it is infection it need to be drained by a surgeon.
avoid taking sea foods and brinjal as these may tend to increase the allergy.
Wishing for a quick recovery and thanks for calling.
I find this answer helpful
2 Doctors agree with this answer
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