unexplained sudden brusing/redness at base of finger with swelling & numbness

Jeanette Buttler · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

This started happening to me in my mid thirties. It happens occasionally and really hurts. It has always been in my fingers until recently. I was tying my shoes and as soon as I finished I had this terribly stinging sensation in my left palm. The large vein in the "pad" was swollen and very evident. I rubbed it and thought about the ice idea but was too busy. Anyway, later the pain subsided, the vein disappeared and a bruised area appeared. I don't know what it is, this is the first time I have researched it a all. I do agree with the idea it could be a busted vein. That has been my thought and it scares me. What if this happens to a vein in my head? Not fun to think about.

Would love to hear more ideas. Has anyone talked to their doc?

kellichase · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

I am very concerned about my left index finger which is swollen, bruised and very stiff. I put ice on it and took ibuprofin asap. I had my hands clasped in between my knees while watching a movie when all of a suddend i noticed my finger was throbbing and was purple. I am 38 (F) and I am used to 'shaking off pain' pretty easily but this continued to throb and turn purple. This is my first experience with this. It looks as if alot of people are in the dark about this....what is it???????

Guest · Guest

Hey ev'body,

I have about the same thing, I get acute pain on the palmar side of my fingers with a purple glow. my finger doesn't feel numb at all. maybe slightly redder than normal, but not very convincing.
I did several searches through medical databases, and it seems that it is in fact Achenbach syndrome, which is harmless.
my other best option is varicose veins, which is relatively harmless as well.

You definitely don't have to worry about the veins in your head, they are anatomically different than the ones in your hand.

Guest · Guest

I had a sudden swelling in the finger pad of my middle finger, right below the first joint. No pain, just swelling, light redness. I massaged the swelling, and it subsided reasonably soon. One day after, some swelling lingers, but no pain and no soreness.

Checked out Achenbach syndrome. Definition: haematoma of the finger pad, with accompanying oedema (swelling), of unknown cause in the absence of disturbations in blood coagulation mechanisms.

My translation of the above would be that a blood clot (obvious worry) would not be a likely cause. The cause itself remains unknown, but the rare nature of this condition appears to be frequently mentioned in the literature.

So this should be not something to worry about too much, unless the condition is severe and persistent.

Guest · Guest

I can't believe others have this condition too! My first episode was over 20 years ago when a finger suddenly hurt so badly I had to grab it to contain the pain; when I released my grip the finger was bruised and swollen. It has happened about 8 times in the last 20 years. I have asked doctors about this condition and they shrug their shoulders. I have been concerned because I am convinced this is what I call a 'finger anneurysm". I am worried that someday this will happen in my head.
It only happens in my hands so far, and I assume it has to do with weak blood vessels bursting. No trauma has occurred prior to the bursting.
As far as I know the medical profession is not concerned about this condition, although I would tend to think it is the body's warning system telling us that something not so good is going on inside.

Guest · Guest

Thank you for posting!!! I have had this happen to me periodically for the past several years. It started in my mid-twenties. This mysterious vein swelling is not confined to just my fingers. It happens on the inside of my wrist, tops & sides of my feet and on the veins that run along my thumbs. My veins are very close to the surface and are easily irritated by shoes, watches, or carrying heavy objects.

I too usually experience what feels like a sting and then the vein swells for a few moments and then I am left with a somewhat painful purple bruise for a few days. I asked my internist about this, but like all of your physicians, she was baffled and didn't think much of it.

If anyone finds something conclusive, please post. In the meantime, it's nice to know I'm not alone or crazy! Good luck to all!

Arda11 · Newbie Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

47 Male , I had similar symptoms in my fingers and palms for several years now.

I do not want to alarm anyone but I showed the following article to my doctor and convinced her for getting extra blood tests done. Better get checked than wait for anything more serious than a black finger for couple days...(my symptoms are getting worse over the years , the area affected seems to be bigger each time and healing takes longer)

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/cancercenter/blooddisorders/essentialthrombo.html

I will post my test results if anyone thinks it will help them.

dibennett · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

This has happened to me two times in the past 3 wks and never prior to that. I have had silly minor incidents, that might typically cause a bruise, but my middle finger (one on each hand) has swollen up and hurt and goes from blue to purple and other lovely colors. first one lasted about a week. I just did my second Fri so I am only on day 3.

It stinks and I am worried it will continue to happen or might be from something bad.

msheean · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I am relieved to see these posts. I thought I was bitten by a Black Widow last week when my finger suddenly and painfully swelled up and turned red then blue after coming out of working in my garage, where a number of Black Widows can be found. The finger turned quite purple and it took several days to fade. I even went to the emergency room. Then a week later I was sweeping and suddenly the same thing happened, only not quite as bad. Obviously a spider had not bitten me again, so what else was it?

Not sure what to do now!?! How often is this going to happen? I also have Raynaud's Syndrome, and wonder if somehow the two things are related.

Bman · Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I'm 37, male. I get this too, about two or three times a year. The pain is extremely sharp, like broken glass cutting inside the knuckle.

Pressure to the finger is the trigger of both the pain and bruising.
I.e., I picked up a briefcase and the pressure of the handle caused it. I had to drop the briefcase. Within a minute, the knuckle was purple and slightly swollen.

Also, intense sharp pain without bruising happens far more often, probably at least once a month. Light pressure brings it on, so I have learned not to let anything press on the inner knuckle area.

Right now , I can barely touch the area of the index finger knuckle it is so painful. If I pressed hard enough, I'm sure it would bleed but the pain would be remarkable. I wish there was some cure for this.

unexplained sudden brusing/redness at base of finger with swelling & numbness

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