What's going on with my thumb?
April 1, 2019 11:10 PM Subscribe
I've noticed something strange going on with my right thumbnail lately. Here is a pic: https://imgur.com/a/MkbWO0j.
There are 2 main features:
1 - on the lower right side, it is getting all white
2 - in the middle, at the bottom, it's definitely more red than the other fingers (and other thumb).
Does anyone have any experience with this? I just want to know if it's something I need to see a doctor about.
I don't know what caused it - I can't remember any event that could have led to it, other than perhaps opening a lot of clementines lately with that thumb. I think the white part is growing, which is somewhat concerning to me.
There are 2 main features:
1 - on the lower right side, it is getting all white
2 - in the middle, at the bottom, it's definitely more red than the other fingers (and other thumb).
Does anyone have any experience with this? I just want to know if it's something I need to see a doctor about.
I don't know what caused it - I can't remember any event that could have led to it, other than perhaps opening a lot of clementines lately with that thumb. I think the white part is growing, which is somewhat concerning to me.
Does it hurt? Is it a little red and swollen? If it does, your image will not open for me- but I will bet $10 that you have a paronychia. I am not your doctor, I am just a dumb middle school orchestra teacher who has had a few before. Please consult an actual doctor if you are worried.
posted by charmedimsure at 12:42 AM on April 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by charmedimsure at 12:42 AM on April 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
That looks more like a fungal infection than any paronychia I've had - I'd hit it with some over-the-counter fungicide and consult a doctor if that doesn't seem to be working after a couple days.
posted by aspersioncast at 4:58 AM on April 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by aspersioncast at 4:58 AM on April 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Could also be onycholysis, which (I learned just yesterday, since it's happening to me too!) can be caused by all sorts of things. Maybe it's a reaction to the oils and juice from the clementines?
posted by Janta at 5:33 AM on April 2, 2019
posted by Janta at 5:33 AM on April 2, 2019
The yellowish-white in the lower-right looks like nail fungus.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 7:56 AM on April 2, 2019
posted by Winnie the Proust at 7:56 AM on April 2, 2019
I second it could be Onycholysis - which is the nail lifting / separating from the nail bed. When it happens a new nail will be growing underneath it.
I had it happen due to an extreme reaction to Thyroid overmedication. All of my nails (finger and toe) lifted and eventually fell off. Other causes for Onycholysis are also trauma to the nail or some type of infection.
posted by MrsMGH at 9:00 AM on April 2, 2019
I had it happen due to an extreme reaction to Thyroid overmedication. All of my nails (finger and toe) lifted and eventually fell off. Other causes for Onycholysis are also trauma to the nail or some type of infection.
posted by MrsMGH at 9:00 AM on April 2, 2019
that my friend could be one of two things:
1) fungus. my approach is to let it grow out.
2) bacterial infection. i spent 6 months of 2018 dealing with one. i pinched my finger very hard right at the matrix, and that was a great spot for bacteria to enter. after a few months the pain was so bad and my finger so swollen i went to urgent care. i got abx. a few days later there was a lot of pus so i went to a derm to have it looked at, and then spent the next few days soaking it and squeezing pus out. then many months waiting for it to grow out and dealing with all the texture and color changes. my nail is no longer the same.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:27 PM on April 2, 2019
1) fungus. my approach is to let it grow out.
2) bacterial infection. i spent 6 months of 2018 dealing with one. i pinched my finger very hard right at the matrix, and that was a great spot for bacteria to enter. after a few months the pain was so bad and my finger so swollen i went to urgent care. i got abx. a few days later there was a lot of pus so i went to a derm to have it looked at, and then spent the next few days soaking it and squeezing pus out. then many months waiting for it to grow out and dealing with all the texture and color changes. my nail is no longer the same.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:27 PM on April 2, 2019
Do you have a habit of scratching or picking at your cuticles? I have had very similar fingernail issues (not accompanied by nail pain) when I am going through the stress that leads to messing with my cuticles which leads to allowing the bacteria to get under the nail. I have found that stopping the picking and allowing the nail to grow out usually solves the issue.
posted by Merinda at 11:05 PM on April 2, 2019
posted by Merinda at 11:05 PM on April 2, 2019
"1) fungus. my approach is to let it grow out."
Err, wouldn't it just spread more? I've never heard of dealing with fungus just by letting it continue to grow??
posted by GoblinHoney at 2:37 PM on April 3, 2019
Err, wouldn't it just spread more? I've never heard of dealing with fungus just by letting it continue to grow??
posted by GoblinHoney at 2:37 PM on April 3, 2019
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posted by amoeba at 11:57 PM on April 1, 2019