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Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment for Swollen Thumb Joint

Thumb problems are quite common in people of all ages and are a result of different factors. In most cases, thumb ailments include a swollen thumb pad or a swollen thumb joint. At times, apart from the pain and swelling, you may notice other symptoms such as soreness, redness, stiffness and limited range.

If the swollen thumb is caused by a minor injury, infection or an insect bite, it may get better on its own. However, some of the causes of a sore swollen thumb joint can be more serious than others and may require medical treatment. Left unchecked, swollen thumb or swollen finger joints could lead to a lot of pain and discomfort and may also interfere with your daily activities. Therefore, it is important that you speak with your doctor in case the swelling lasts for a day or two.

Symptoms:

Apart from the swelling, which is usually visible, there may be other symptoms that accompany a swollen and sore thumb joint. These symptoms could include, pain, stiffness and redness in the thumb. At times, a bony lump on the thumb joint may also be visible. You have difficulty in moving your thumb around, which could make it difficult for you to perform even the easiest tasks. In case of a swollen thumb joint caused by gout, the pain is generally excruciating enough to wake a person up from deep sleep. Symptoms like the lump on the thumb joint and excruciating pain are quite serious and should not be left unchecked.

Causes:

There are numerous factors that could lead to a swollen thumb, some of which include –

• Animal bites
• Bursitis
• Cuts, scrapes, bruises and other minor injuries
• Excessive use of the thumb for any activity, like sending text messages
• Fractures or cracked bones
• Infections
• Insect stings
• Medical conditions such as diabetes or De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Menopause (in case of women)
• Repetitive movements, like playing the guitar or violin for a long period of time
• Sprain in the thumb joint
• Tendonitis
• Tissue damage
• Trauma around the thumb area
• Various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis
• Water retention

You may notice a swelling in your thumb after sports like bowling even if you haven’t sustained an injury. In fact, this is possible with many other sports activities in which you need to use your thumb a lot.

Treatment

The treatment of a swollen thumb may vary, depending upon its cause. Therefore, you first need to consult a doctor and determine why your thumb is swollen.

In case the swelling has occurred because of problems such as bursitis, tendonitis or arthritis, you will need to take the right medication that addresses the underlying problem. Your doctor may also prescribe topical ointments to reduce the swelling.

If you are suffering from a cracked or a fractured bone, your doctor will first need to set the bone back and then bandage it securely for a few weeks. In some instances, surgery may be required to reduce the swelling in the thumb.

You may be able to alleviate the swelling and other discomfort with the help of a few simple home remedies. However, do bear in mind that these home remedies only reduce the swelling; they cannot treat or cure the underlying cause of the problem.

How to Reduce Swelling in the Thumb Naturally?

There are several home and natural remedies that can help reduce swelling in the fingers, some of which include –

• Cold compress: You can reduce swelling and inflammation on your body by applying some ice. For maximum effectiveness, apply the ice cube directly on to the affected part of your thumb. If you cannot bear the direct application of ice on your skin, an ice pack is would also work as a good option. Wrap a few pieces of ice in a napkin, before applying it to your thumb. Make sure that you apply a cold compress to the thumb at least 3 to 4 times a day.
• Heat: When it comes to reducing swelling and pain in the body, heat therapy is as effective as the cold. Apply a hot water bag or a heating pad on to the affected part of the thumb, making sure that the temperature is not high for it to cause a burn. In addition to this, you could also dip a clean towel in some hot water and palce it on your thumb after squeezing out the water. For best results, apply the hot towel around your thumb around 3 to 4 times a day, for a period of around 10 minutes or so.
• Alternate heat and cold pressure: In order to maximize the benefits of heat and cold therapy, some doctors advise that both should be used at the same time. Take two towels and dip one of them in ice cold water, before wrapping it around the swollen thumb pad or joint, for around 3 minutes. Then, dip the other towel in hot water and wrap it around the swollen thumb for at least 7 minutes. This exercise is great for improving the supply of blood to the area, which expedites healing, in case of a swollen thumb infection. For maximum benefit, this exercise should be repeated at least 3 or 4 times a day.
• Garlic: In case the swelling in your thumb is the result of an infection, this remedy may be quite useful, as garlic contains powerful antibiotic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Crush 2 to 3 cloves of garlic and soak it in olive oil for a couple of hours. Apply the warm oil on to your swollen thumb to get rid of the infection.
• Tea tree oil: Minor irritation, cuts and wounds on the thumb are best addressed with this remedy, because of its abundant antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Mix some tea tree oil with an equal amount of warm olive oil and apply the combination to the affected part of the thumb. Try to do this just before bed time, so that the oil can work on the skin overnight.
• Epsom salt: If the swelling in your thumb is caused by an imbalance of electrolytes, you may benefit from Epsom salt. Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a glass of warm water and soak your swollen thumb in the solution for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Splint: Even if the swelling in the thumb, knuckle and joint is not caused by a broken or cracked bone, it advisable to wear a splint for a day or two, so that the thumb is not aggravated by any unnecessary or sudden movement. In addition to a splint, you could also tie a bandage around your swollen thumb to reduce the swelling and to keep it stead. However, the bandage should be changed regularly, in order to avoid a swollen thumb infection.

These home remedies are quite safe as long as they are used correctly; however, it is important to check with a doctor before trying any of them.

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