Swollen under cuticle and deformed nail? - Nail Problems Message Board

utnvpa · 03-07-2008, 10:18 AM

For several years, I've had a problem with a fingernail that has now flared up again. There is a bit of a "lump" up under the cuticle area of my middle finger, and it appears a bit swollen and raised away from the nail. This happened several years ago, but got very sore and I went to the doctor, who did a culture and found (as I recall) both staph and strep going on. A course of keflex seemed to clear it up. However, that nail has remained deformed, with a valley the length of the nail lwhere it grows from the lump area.

About a month ago, it got sore again and I went to a different doctor. He prescribed a 10-day antibiotic that calmed it down, but within two days of stopping it, the swelling and pain was back. So, another visit, he did a culture (negative) and another 10-days of a different antibiotic, as well as a cream to rub in it in case it's a fungus. Again, the antibiotic stopped the pain but as soon as I finished it, the finger got red again and sore. It finally got to the point I could push on it and see it needed to drain, so I got it to drain and the fluid inside was viscous but clear and had no smell.

I'm soaking it in hot water each evening and that seems to help a lot, with less redness and soreness. Does anybody have any idea what this might be and what type of doctor I should see? I've been going to a walk in clinic and that doesn't seem to be working, as they haven't a clue. At a hundred bucks a throw, it would be nice to go to somebody who might have an idea how to treat it.

TIA!

Marti · 03-08-2008, 08:08 AM

Do yourself a favor and go to a dermatologist. It could very well be a tumor growing in the matrix since you describe it as a 'lump'. I am figuring tumor because it has deformed the nail plate. This is more common than you may think.

utnvpa · 03-27-2008, 10:55 AM

Just an update. I DID see a dermatologist and it is a myxoid cyst. She says my symptoms are classic. Got me trying a steroid cream and I'll check back with her in a week or so, but it doesn't appear to be making any difference. From what I've been able to find on the 'net, there is a difference of opinion regarding removing it surgically, because the recurrence rate is high. The good news is that they are always benign.