red bumps on knuckles

[babalooya]

What are these red, tender bumps the size of a pencil eraser on the tops of my knuckles on my fingers adjacent to the bed of my fingernails.  I have assumed they were arthritic in nature.  


This discussion is related to Bumps on backs of hands, knuckles.

[babyducktoo]

My first thumb knuckle bump feels like a horn on the superior side of that joint. Pushing on it gives a sensation like electricity, while a light touch is just sore & a bit itchy. Slightly smaller than a pencil top erasor. Newly discovered. What is it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,I cannot confirm anything but red painful bumps on knuckles can be dermatomyositis,Heberden’s nodes(found in osteoarthritis),rheumatoid arthritis,autoimmune diseases like scleroderma and herpetic whitlow.

I would suggest an examination by a dermatologist/physician and rule out these possibilities.Lab investigations may be needed to support the confirmatory diagnosis.

Hope it helps .Take care and pls do keep us posted in case you have any additional queries.Kind regards.