Thumb hurts - need advice

[robertpasa]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

If it is not better in a few days, go to Urgent Care, not an Emergency Room.

why urgent care and not er?

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

why urgent care and not er?

You do not need the facilities of an ER and it will cost Medicaid more.

[otterhere]

Could be a botfly larva from a mosquito bite. Not to alarm you! But I agree with waiting three days and seeing if it resolves on its own. Even the botfly will, eventually.

How is someone your doctor if he doesn't take your insurance (Medicaid)?

[djmilf]

Might it be a myxoid cyst?

Try Google for images, see if it matches what you have.

[TheOldPuss]

See a doctor, OP. Don't rely on Dr. Internet.

[heavymind]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

Chances are this is absolutely nothing and will resolve on its own in a few days.

No kidding. OP, time to man up. Is this what the internet has created? People with so much spare time that they feel the need to ask total strangers why their thumb hurts. Kinda silly. I've had soreness in my lower leg for maybe a year now - don't even care, it's a non issue. Just aches and pains of being human.

I remember back in the earlier days of the internet some random forum thread went viral after someone posted that they'd just swallowed a small piece of aluminum foil from a candy wrapper, and should they be worried? Most everyone responded and told him he was about to die, and I think he bought it. LOL

[robertpasa]

UPDATE: You'll never believe what just happened.

I soaked my thumb in warm water for 15 minutes, which was suggested to me. I thought it had no effect but I noticed a small drop of pus between my nail and skin. I squeezed my thumb and a HUGE amount of pus and blood came out! Now the swelling and pain have decreased. I guess it was like a big acne cyst.

[heavymind]

Thanks for the update.

[robertpasa]

I found out that when you soak your skin in water, the pores become bigger. That's why some pus leaked out.

The area that used to be swollen is now dark red or black, from trauma.

Question: when you have swelling because of pus, it hurts because your skin is stretched out, is that right?

[elnina]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

why urgent care and not er?

Because what you described doesn't look like emergency.

Sore thumb?
Unless it starts to turn purple, swollen, oozing and you have fever or experience throbbing pain, please don't clog ER with such minor issues. No wonder that ERs are always full of people who don't need to be there.