ulcer on fingertip?

[Brychni]

I no longer know where to post this so it's going on Lupus website too.

Anyway, for about a month, among all the other weird goings on on my hands and fingers, I have noticed an increasingly hard bumpy patch on the tip of my index finger which is also extremely painful for such a small thing. It has redness inside, a bit like a chillblain. It's not going away and feels like it's getting more bumpy . When it's wet, after a shower or washing my hand, bits of it look white, almost like a burn.

Could this be the beginnings of a digital ulcer? My Raynaud's had calmed down a lot but lately I've started to get glue fingers regularly and all it takes is for me to touch something cool or for me to be cold and my fingers on right hand start to tingle and go pale - not as bad as they used to - for example hanging up even slightly damp washing in the airing cupboard and bizarrely when drying my hair.

[Mirv]

Hi I wonder if this might be calcinosis? I have scleroderma and have a number of sores on my fingers. Sometimes so sore and lumpy. Eventually a chalky liquid or hard lumps of calcium will come out which relieves the pain. Lupus and scleroderma have many similarities so worth checking with your doctor. Meanwhile it can help to soak your fingers in warm salty water. I have also used a diluted iodine solution I got from the hospital. Re the pain I use rubber finger cots which helps protect them as they can be so sore when you hit them on something! Hope that helps.

[Brychni in reply to Mirv]

Hi Mirv I don't think calcinosis , the white looks almost like a burn which in turn looks a bit ulcer like. It's not going away.

[Lupiknits]

I’ve had a couple of calcinosis bumps like Mirv.

I’m also struggling with a very sore spot just under the nail of my right index finger; exactly the most important finger of course. This, I think, is an ulcer in the making. No broken skin so I’m keeping it protected and will see a doctor next Monday when I have Iloprost

[Brychni in reply to Lupiknits]

Hi LK, will my rheumatology appointment in May be too late to get it checked out or should I go yo GP?

[Lupiknits in reply to Brychni]

GP x

[Brychni in reply to Lupiknits]

Thanks. It seems to be spreading round the side of the finger tip now. And got another 2 on big toe. This has never happened before 😐

[Lupiknits in reply to Brychni]

Definitely a GP first, then Rheumy can take over. I can well imagine how you feel and sympathise very much. It’s frustrating and can interfere with everyday life x

[LadyTrundle]

if you even remotely, think it might be infected, it’s best to get it checked out with your GP or rheumatologist. Skin/finger ulcers and notoriously. Difficult to conquer and this tend to want to give you antibiotics straight away. E.g. a targeted one like flucloxicilln, for a couple of weeks.

I had a very abrupt and painful introduction to this New World of infected ulcers last autumn, so I do advise you getting it checked out

[Brychni in reply to LadyTrundle]

Thank you LT.