Fingertip pain can come from injury, infection, arthritis, or nerve problems. See a doctor if it persists.
Common causes
- Injury, such as a cut or bruise.
- Paronychia (nail infection).
- Felon (pulp infection).
- Arthritis.
- Carpal tunnel or nerve damage.
- Raynaud’s, causing cold pain.
- Neuropathy.
At home
Ice, rest, soak in warm water and clean cuts.
See a doctor
If you see swelling, pus, redness spreading or fever.
Fingertip anatomy
The fingertip has one of the highest densities of nerve endings in the body, so even minor problems cause noticeable pain. It contains nail, skin, pulp tissue, bone (distal phalanx) and tendons.
Infection and inflammation
- Paronychia: infection of the skin folds around the nail, with redness, swelling and pus, common in nail biters and after manicures.
- Felon: infection of the finger pulp, with intense throbbing pain, which needs prompt medical drainage.
- Herpetic whitlow: herpes virus infection with painful blisters.
Injury
- Cuts, splinters, jammed fingers, smashed fingertips or subungual hematoma (blood under the nail).
- Broken bone (fracture) of the tip.
- Burns and frostbite.
Nerve and circulation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause tingling and pain in the thumb, index and middle fingers.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon turns fingertips white or blue in cold, with pain on warming.
- Diabetic neuropathy and peripheral artery disease.
Skin and joint causes
Eczema, contact dermatitis, warts, ganglion cysts, arthritis, glomus tumors (small, painful and cold sensitive) and trigger finger.
At home
- Clean the area with soap and water.
- Soak in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, for mild paronychia.
- Remove splinters with clean tweezers.
- Apply ice for injuries.
- Use an over the counter pain reliever.
- Avoid biting nails or picking cuticles.
See a doctor if
There is spreading redness, pus, red streaks, fever, severe throbbing pain, numbness, a fingertip that is pale or blue, a deformity or injury with bone damage. Diabetics should seek care early for any finger infection.
Infections and injuries
Fingertip pain often comes from minor injury, a splinter, a paper cut or a bruised nail bed. Paronychia is a nail fold infection with redness, swelling and tenderness, and a felon is a deeper infection of the fingertip pulp that causes throbbing pain and swelling and needs medical drainage. Other causes include ingrown nails, warts, dyshidrotic eczema, carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud phenomenon and arthritis at the last finger joint. Frequent hand use or typing can cause tenderness.
Care and warning signs
Soak in warm water for 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day for mild paronychia, protect the finger and take over the counter pain relievers. See a doctor if there is pus, red streaks, fever, a swollen fingertip, severe throbbing pain or an injury that may have broken bone, or if you have diabetes. For cold, pale or numb fingertips, a doctor can check for circulation or nerve causes. Keep nails trimmed and avoid biting or picking at cuticles.
Based on data from the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand
