painful small swollen lumps under skin that are spreading on my fingers and toes

[dzeanne]

I just noticed a painful lump on my thumb and also one under my foot 2 days ago. They're like pimples and you could see  the pus under the skin. And then they just multiplied, and I noticed that the new ones start off as red lumps then they also swell (w/ pus) after a while. And today, I had counted 18 lumps on my fingers and about 7 on my toes. The one on my thumb is already more swollen and apparently is the biggest of all the lumps. I don't know what they are and they are really painful. They're not itchy. It's like they develop pus and just swell. Can someone tell me what they are and what are the possible treatments? thanks.

[mussygirl]

I have a small lump on both thumbs, hard and white under the skin - not like a spot. Feels boney and almost attached to the upper thumb joint. Thought they might be hebredens nodes but they are painful, the pain flaring up from time to time. Have full range of movement in joints.  One lump came up several weeks before the other, (have had them for about10 months or so). Any advice really appreciated as family doc was dismissive.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words. I am glad if i can be of any help to you. You are free to post any medical query as per the rules of the forum. Take care and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[dzeanne]

Hi, right now the lumps stopped spreading and the pus inside the big one on my thumb disappeared. I mean, the color turned to red so I assumed that there's no pus anymore since there's no white thing anymore. The same goes for the other lumps on my fingers. And they don't hurt anymore. Well, I don't really know, maybe they'll come back but I am relieved that they're not a bother anymore.

Anyway, I sincerely thank you for replying to my question. You see, I don't really want to consult a dermatologist right now because you know, medical consultations are really expensive and I don't really have the money so I thought of asking a question here. This is my first post and at first, I really didn't expect someone to actually answer my question yet I still posted here. I was surprised when you replied and you know, I was really touched. Thank you very much. I really appreciate your concern. =D By the way, I saw your profile and I read that you also cover women's health. I actually have a question, can I still ask if it's not too much of a bother to you?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The commonest cause is pompholyx eczema where the smaller vesicles have joined up to form a blister. Other possibilities are erythema multiforme, blistering dactylitis or herpes simplex.  Pompholyx presents as tiny blisters (vesicles) deep in the skin of the sole of feet. The later and more chronic stage shows more peeling, cracking, or crusting. Then the skin heals up, or the blistering may start again. My sincere advice is to get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.