Causes of thumb swelling?

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Thumb swelling can be caused by many different factors. It can be caused by a pre-existing disorder, such as arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis, or by injury from trauma, repeated use, or a bite from an insect or animal. Most thumb injuries are minor and heal on their own, but if the symptoms are severe, you may need a doctor to treat the swelling.

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of thumb swelling. Osteoarthritis can occur in the thumb for a variety of reasons, ranging from normal wear and tear to overuse of the basal joint, which sits just above the wrist and is responsible for moving the thumb. Symptoms range from mild to severe, including swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Thumb tendonitis is another potential cause of swelling. It is caused when the tendons at the base of the thumb become irritated, typically from repetitive and awkward movements of the hands and wrists. One of the most common causes of thumb tendonitis is all the difficult and unusual hand positions a new mother needs to care for her baby.

Burstitis is a similar, somewhat less common cause of thumb swelling. It is inflammation of the fluid-filled sac located between bones and the tendons or muscles that surround them. This pouch forms a kind of cushion against the hard surface of the bone. Bursitis can be very painful.

Traumatic injuries to the hand or wrist can also cause the thumb to swell, as can fractures of the thumb bones. X-rays will be needed to detect any broken bones, although difficulty moving the thumb could indicate a fracture. A joint sprain is another fairly common injury that can cause a swollen thumb.

Bowlers may also have problems with their thumb, as swelling may occur from repeated use, putting the thumb through the holes in the bowling ball. The stress on your fingers when the ball leaves your hand can cause some swelling and some pain as well. This is generally nothing to worry about, as bowling rarely results in injury, but people with severe pain should see a doctor.
Any repeated activity involving the thumb can cause it to swell. Texting is an example of an activity that can lead to bloating and even pain from overuse. Playing an instrument that uses the thumbs a lot can have the same effect.

Animal or insect bites are another common cause of thumb swelling. Other common symptoms of these bites are itching, redness, and sometimes pain. The swelling indicates that the body is reacting to the poison or could also be caused by inflammation from tissue damage.

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