Fingertip Pain

[rockatmyshow]

My boyfriend is a Roofer, everyday that he comes home at least for the past week, has been complaining about his fingertips hurting. He says that the more the night goes on the more that they hurt. I am assuming that the pain is caused by the shingles and using his fingers everyday on the rough surface. My question is, does anyone have a remedy that would maybe ease the pain a bit? He takes Tylenol when the pain gets too bad and wears gloves while he is at work and on the roof. Do you think he should soak his fingers in warm water, just take tylenol, or maybe try a different pain reliever. He refuses to go to the doctor for anything. If anyone has any advice please throw it my way. Thank you.

[rockatmyshow]

Thank you very much for the advice. I will try all of that and see if I can get him to go to see a physician.

[Tuckamore]

Hi and welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. You ask a good question.

His fingertip pain could be surface pain or it could be the beginning of a nerve or tendon condition due to the repetitive work her performs.

Ice may help more than warm soaks but whatever works best should not hurt him to try. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is not an NSAID. He may want to ask his pharmacist or PCP if a NSAID would provide better relief than tylenol.

Men and doctors....I don't understand the relationship...or should I say non-relationship. Men often just avoid physicians until they have major problems that could have been treated noninvasive measures had they sought help sooner. So if he refuses to go maybe asking a pharmacist what OTC NSAID would be effective in treating his pain would be acceptable to your boyfriend.

Good luck to you. I hope you are able to eventually get him to agree to a clinical evaluation. Roofing is very tough work and hard on the structures of our body.

Peace,
Tuck