Swollen fingers are prone to occur because the fingers are part of the body that is very often used for dodaily activities. Swollen fingers can be treated in various ways, but the treatment needs to be adjusted to the cause.
Swollen fingers can be caused by muscle enlargement, inflammation, or fluid buildup in the fingers. When the muscles or tissue in the fingers enlarge, of course the fingers will look swollen.
Swollen fingers can occur slowly or suddenly, and may or may not be accompanied by symptoms.
Causes of Swollen Fingers
There are many factors that can cause swollen fingers, including:
1. Gout
Swollen fingers can be a symptom of gout. Usually this condition is accompanied by sudden pain in the joints.
Gout can affect any joint throughout the body, but is most common in the joints of the fingers, knees, ankles, and toes. Pain and swelling occur due to the buildup and formation of uric acid crystals in the joints.
2. Infection
In many cases, swollen fingers are caused by a bacterial infection Stapylococcus and Sstreptococcus. The bacteria grow in the tissues in the injured finger, it can be due to insect stings, stab wounds, or due to cuts.
If treated too late, these bacteria can continue to spread to other parts of the body through the blood circulation.
3. Insignia (paronychia)
Paronychia or better known as ingrown toenail can cause swollen fingers. This condition is usually caused by nail growth protruding into and injuring the skin, making it easy to become infected with bacteria.
Ingrown toenails can occur on the fingers or toes. This condition causes sores or swelling at the edge of the nail. The injured area is usually painful to the touch and appears pus-filled.
4. Hand injury
Swollen fingers can be caused by injuries, such as finger fractures, sprains, pinches, or dislocation of the finger bones. Usually this condition is accompanied by bruising, the finger looks blue, and is painful to the touch.
If the injury is severe enough, this condition can also cause open sores on the skin's surface.
5. Finger club (clubbing finger)
Clubbing is a symptom of hypoxia or a condition of low oxygen levels in the blood that occurs for a long time. Characteristics of clubbing fingers are enlarged or swollen fingertips.
This condition is often experienced by people with heart and lung diseases, such as congenital heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, or cystic fibrosis.
Overcoming Swollen Fingers at Home
Swollen fingers can be treated independently at home with a few simple steps, including:
- Clean your fingers with warm water regularly, especially if the condition is caused by an infection.
- Putting or raising your hands until they are higher than your heart. This method can help relieve swollen fingers due to injury.
- Not moving the fingers that are swollen because of the injury. If necessary, stick the finger of the injured hand with the finger of the nearest hand. Use tools, such as a pen or small stick, to help keep your fingers straight.
- Compressing swollen fingers with ice cubes. This can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- If bleeding occurs because there is an open wound, clean the wound and immediately cover the wound with a bandage.
If the treatment you do at home is not able to overcome swollen fingers, you should immediately consult a doctor. Especially if the swollen fingers are caused by a severe injury. or accompanied by pain that does not go away so it is possible to require hospitalization.
The doctor will perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your swollen fingers and determine the appropriate treatment method.