A lump on my finger

[saxy_jag]

For some months now, I have had a small, white lump on my middle finger, between the base of the nail and the first knuckle joint. If I put pressure on it with, say, the handle of teaspoon or the back of another nail, it flattens and will remain that way for half an hour or so. It's not at all painful, except when I once tried lancing it with a clean needle, but it didn't even produce a spot of blood, let alone anything more sinister.

It's not my writing hand either. I'm not really worried about it, but I'm just curious as to what it could be. Any idea?

[Rollo]

Sounds like a wart.

[Rollo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wart

[LoftyLottie]

Does it look a bit like a blister, but harder?

[sn�gged]

Probably a batch of spiders eggs ready to hatch ;-)

[sn�gged]

Ganglion?

[LoftyLottie]

I had a myxoid cyst (digital mucous cyst) which looks similar to a ganglion. These are common in people with osteoarthritis and usually on people over 50 - so it probably doesn't apply to you. I had it for a couple of years and had an appointment with the hospital to see if it could be removed and it miraculously went away a few days before the appointment. They are harmless.

Just a thought, but the place where you have the lump is the commonest place to have them.

[saxy_jag]

It's not a wart (just a lump - no 'head' to speak of) and I doubt it's a spider nest - it's been there several months without change and like I said, I've tried lancing it with zero result.

Lottie, it looks more like a puss-filled spot than a blister, but it's a lot harder than both. Again, no discharge when lanced.

I have actually been thinking along the lines of a ganglion, but I always thought these were bigger.

[saxy_jag]

Actually Lottie, I missed your last post. I am almost 50 and arthritis is a family trait, so you could have something there.

[LoftyLottie]

Mine looked like a pus filled spot , or a blister that had got infected. However, there wasn't any pus in it, and it didn't ooze or bleed when pierced with a needle.
It doesn't sound like a ganglion - these are usually more below the skin and don't look like spots or blisters.

[LoftyLottie]

This is a myxoid cyst

http://www.visualdxhealth.com/images/dx/webAdu lt/myxoidCyst_1324_lg.jpg

If you are nearly 50 and arthritis runs in the family then it seems very likely.

Mine was at the base of my finger nail and in the end it grew and looked really unsightly. Then when threatened with the hospital, it did a runner and disappeared!!!

[LoftyLottie]

Another one

http://rad.usuhs.mil/derm/lecture_notes/Images /dig_cyst.jpg

(Looks as if someone has tried to lance it!!)

If you google myxoid cysts (or digital mucous cysts) you will find lots of wonderful pictures of them in google images and some information.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh, and when I pressed it down it would stay flat for a while too!!

[daginge]

No Doctor me like but it sounds a bit like a ganglion as snagged supposed. I had one a while ago on my thumb in a similar position until I Twa$%ed it and I mean Twa$%ed it, good style in a nailing incident accidently of course. Then it kind of disappeared. However I wouldn't bother asking anyone on AB if you are really worried I'd go straight to the Docs. Better safe than sorry!!
Hope everything is Ok.
Be lucky saxy_jag

[saxy_jag]

Lottie, it looks a lot like those. Not as big as the first. I guess I'll let it live for now unless it starts to give me grief.

Wish it was pus-filled, though. It would be a really popping treat, wouldn't it. I remember, I had this big boil under my arm once ...

Thanks for all your help folks - set my mind at ease. Lol at the spiders, snagged. If it was my neck, I'd be worrried!!