Hard formation under thumb after puncture.

Skin, nail and hair health
1

Hi there, I'm new here, and I'm not sure if this is the correct way to use the forum, so apologies in advance.

After a thorn or piece of wood stabbed my thumb I've since had a firm, round formation under the skin of the thumb. It's not immediately visible and can only be identified after pressing on it to feel it. I went to the pharmacy and was recommended magnesium sulphate paste to draw out anything that may have been left inside of the thumb.

After using that for a couple of weeks without my symptoms improving I went to a walk-in centre where an incision was made into my thumb to remove any foreign objects, but the nurse told me she never saw anything inside there.

Whilst the skin itself doesn't hurt when touching it, there are instances where I'll have a sharp pain on it, perhaps when there's too much pressure on the area or I'm holding something in an unusual position, like a carrier bag.

I was wondering if explaining my symptoms here could help me have a better understanding about what this might be, as my GP is reluctant to send me for a scan just yet, until I've tried Ibuprofen gel.

2

It sounds as though something is still in there. You may need a deeper incision than the one you had at the walk in centre, or the incision was not in quite the right place, or the foreign body may be quite tiny. An x ray would help to identify whatever it is in there.

3

Hi Marina_Dee, thank you for the response. I think you might be right. Would an X-ray definitely be the ideal type of scan to go for to detect this?

I understand nothing’s certain but value your advice here.

Thanks.

4

Yes, an x ray is the best one to identify a foreign body in an injury

5

Thank you.