Bumps on your knuckles are common, and while many are benign, some may indicate an underlying health issue. Understanding their causes helps determine when medical advice is needed and how to manage them.
Common Explanations for Knuckle Bumps
Many knuckle bumps stem from everyday activities or minor skin conditions. These are often less serious and disappear with simple care or time.
Repeated friction or pressure on the skin can lead to calluses or thickened skin. Activities like writing, certain sports, or manual labor can contribute to this. Minor injuries, such as small traumas or repetitive strain, can also result in localized swelling or small collections of blood under the skin, known as hematomas.
Skin conditions can also cause bumps on the knuckles. Warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), are firm, raised growths. Cysts, such as ganglion or epidermal cysts, are fluid-filled or debris-filled sacs that can develop near joints or under the skin. Benign growths, like knuckle pads (also known as Garrod’s nodes), are non-cancerous fibrous growths that appear on the finger joints and are generally painless. Additionally, a localized reaction to an insect bite can cause a bump to form on the knuckle.
Systemic Conditions Manifesting as Knuckle Bumps
Beyond common skin issues, bumps on the knuckles can sometimes signal broader medical conditions affecting the body.
Bumps on the knuckles can sometimes signal broader medical conditions, including various forms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, can lead to bony growths called Heberden’s nodes at the fingertip joints or Bouchard’s nodes at the middle finger joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, may cause firm, non-tender lumps known as rheumatoid nodules to form under the skin, often over exposed joints like the knuckles. Psoriatic arthritis can cause painful swelling of an entire digit, giving it a “sausage-like” appearance, a condition called dactylitis. Gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis, can result in deposits of uric acid crystals forming visible bumps called tophi.
Connective tissue diseases can also present with knuckle changes. Scleroderma, which involves the hardening and tightening of the skin, can lead to thickened and swollen fingers. In systemic forms, calcium deposits (calcinosis) may appear as bumps under the skin on the fingers and other bony areas. Lupus, another autoimmune disease, can cause skin rashes, including a red, thick, scaly rash that appears between the knuckles. Granuloma annulare is a skin condition characterized by skin-colored or reddish bumps that often form rings, commonly appearing over joints, including the knuckles.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While many knuckle bumps are harmless, certain characteristics or accompanying symptoms should prompt a visit to a doctor. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if a bump on your knuckle is persistent, does not resolve on its own, grows in size, or changes in appearance. Any bump that is painful, tender to the touch, warm, or interferes with the normal function and movement of your hand also warrants medical attention.
Additional symptoms that indicate a need for professional assessment include redness, pus, or a fever accompanying the bump. Stiffness or swelling in other joints, or general systemic symptoms like unexplained tiredness or unintentional weight loss, should also be discussed with a doctor.
Managing Knuckle Bumps
Managing knuckle bumps often depends on their underlying cause, ranging from simple self-care measures to more involved medical interventions. For common bumps resulting from friction, such as calluses, protecting the hands can be beneficial. Wearing gloves during repetitive tasks or activities that cause rubbing can help prevent further irritation and allow the skin to heal. Moisturizing the skin can also help keep it supple and reduce callus formation.
For warts, over-the-counter treatments containing salicylic acid can sometimes be effective, while minor injuries typically benefit from rest, ice application, and elevation to reduce swelling. When medical intervention is necessary, treatment approaches vary. Cysts may be drained or surgically removed if they cause pain or impair function. For inflammatory conditions like arthritis, treatment might involve medications to reduce inflammation and pain, or in some cases, joint-specific therapies. For conditions such as knuckle pads, topical medications or steroid injections may be considered to reduce their size.