Purple thumb

[Pr0jection]

Hello there, this might not be anything to do with PMR but I thought I'd mention it just in case someone else has experienced this. About two weeks ago my right thumb turned bluish and then purple, just like a bruise. It was on the fleshy part of the thumb towards the top but not on the nail side (hope this makes sense). It happened just after I'd stroked our cat and I thought maybe an insect had got into his fur and had bitten me. A few days later, everything was back to normal. Then last night, without warning, my thumb started to turn bluish and by this morning it had turned purple, again like a bruise but this time it was slightly painful just on the fleshy part. I've researched via Mr Google and it could be a number of things. Anyone else had this? Thanks for reading and hope you're having a good day......

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It sounds like Achenbacher syndrome - lovely images here

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

Thanks for asking, haven't seen this paper before!

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. Funnily enough, Mr Google came up with this last night so I've read the paper. I'm going to wait a few days to see if it goes away again, like last time. The one thing I did lots of yesterday was using the mouse with our laptop. The bruising has appeared just where my thumb rests on it. Possibly my imagination though. I'm sure it'll sort itself out.....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pr0jection]

It genuinely just happens! Often you feel a sharp pain and the bruise appears, without even using the hand!

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Very weird. Just to test it out I've been using the mouse again for about half an hour and, sure enough, the bruise has become darker. I think I'll go and have a lie down, ha ha. Thanks again......

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting and strange reading.....one thing that didn't surprise though.....more prevalent in females........another one!

[Merryfield]

Well, the endless permutations of the way our bodies turn on us. Pro as usual, has good ideas.

[PMRrunner]

I get it usually on my middle finger. As PMRPro says it seems to happen for no apparent reason but there's usually a sharp pain before the bruise/discolouration appears.

[Nightingales]

Just a thought that it may be wise to get some blood work done, such as platelets. It most likely is just one of those crazy things but it can also be an indicator of more serious illnesses.

[Pr0jection in reply to Nightingales]

Thanks Nightingales, I'm having my two monthly blood tests taken in a couple of weeks which includes platelets.....

[Nightingales in reply to Pr0jection]

That’s good. Best wishes.

[MalloryMoss]

Thank you for sharing.

I’ve got it in my right hand middle finger after carrying some shopping when I was at the Trafford Centre for a couple of hours. I thought I’d cut the circulation off as all my finger tips were purple at first but it settled down and now it’s just the one finger, this was a week ago. No pain just odd. I’ve a Drs appointment on Friday, I’ll mention it.

[Pr0jection in reply to MalloryMoss]

Thanks for responding. It's bit scary when it first happens, but I think mine is just starting to settle down. I've probably been over using my left hand and thumb.

[Sumojo]

I thought it was just me! It happens often to me for no reason but mostly just small bruises, like from carrying a bag or opening a jar or for seemingly no reason at all. Just another crazy thing😂

[Primrose2]

Yes, this is exactly what I have had for years. It started in the bends of my toes, I now regularly get it in my hands, I suddenly get a really sharp pain, which feels like a nerve breaking, then a dark blue bruise that spreads eventually fading, they can vary in size and are usually in the bends of fingers. They can be quite sore!

I have Raynauds and have often wondered if it had anything to do with that!

Hope this helps.

Thank you PMRpro for finding an explanation.

[tempusfugi in reply to Primrose2]

Hi Primrose2, tis interesting what you say about Raynauds because I spoke to a Neurologist recently and this subject came up. The reason I am seeing the Neurologist is that, in the last few months, I have developed 'very severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' (CTS) in both hands. I am due to have an operation on the right hand on 21 November. It's one of the reasons I haven't contributed much to this forum in the last couple of months or so (too painful)

ANYway, I asked the Neurologist if he had any anecdotal evidence that the Covid vaccination causes CTS, as I'd heard something similar. His answer was no but he had heard that Raynauds disease had increased/could be caused by the vacc. Nothing definite, I think but...

Meanwhile, I tend to think my CTS is down to my PMR affecting me, as it can in so many ways. Regards, tempusfugi😄

[S4ndy]

It really is an education on this site. I've seen this happen in elderly exercise class participants but never knew what it was. Thanks for the interesting read.

[PEC2]

Fascinating! I learn something every day on this site. Thank you.

[musicalJ]

What usually happens to me is that my finger itches and when I look at it it is purple. One morning on holiday a friend said "is that a bruise on your thumb?" I'd been unaware of anything, but when I looked my thumb was purple. I had always assumed that I had done something to cause a blood vessel to break; more recently (since being diagnosed with PMR and GCA) I assumed it was due to vasculitis making the blood vessel walls more fragile. It generally goes away fairly quickly and doesn't usually cause me any pain.

[Whiteharte]

Hi yes my thumb very similar but very painfull at times, as though infection, then next day easier, been six weeks now, I wondered if PMR! As we get lots of odd symptoms at times .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Whiteharte]

Has a doctor seen it? Achenbacher fades reasonably quickly, far less than 6 weeks, and isn't that painful. There are other things that could look similar and it needs checking out.