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There are many causes of finger pain. You can often ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.
If you see a GP about pain in your finger, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
rest your finger when you can
put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a towel and place it on your finger for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
stop or cut down activities that are causing the pain – for example, typing, using vibrating tools for work, or playing an instrument
remove any jewellery on the painful finger
strap the painful finger to another finger next to it – put a small piece of cotton wool or gauze between the 2 fingers and use tape to loosely strap them together
think about using gadgets or tools to make difficult or painful tasks easier – for example, to open jars or chop vegetables
do not use heat packs or have hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury
do not lift heavy objects or grip anything too tightly
do not stop using your finger completely – after a few days, do gentle hands and finger exercises to help ease any stiffness
You can ask a pharmacist about:
These might be signs of a broken finger.
If you have finger pain you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
Finger pain is often caused by bruising or injuring your finger.
Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what's causing the pain in your finger.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling and bruising, difficult to move finger or grip anything | Sprained finger |
| Pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of your finger that lasts a long time, may be hard to move your finger, may have a lump | Tendonitis (de Quervain's disease) or arthritis |
| Pain, swelling, cannot straighten the end of your finger, often happens after catching your finger on something | Mallet finger |
| Pain or tenderness in your palm at the base of your finger, stiffness, clicking when you move your finger | Trigger finger |
| Ache, numbness, tingling or weakness in your fingers or hands | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Sudden, sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury | Broken finger |
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
