Small bump on skin turned into swelling and pain of surrounding area - what is it?

Question

I had a very small bump on the top of the lower section of my finger. It didn't have any discoloration, pain, or itching - it was about the size and shape of a wart (but not 'crusty' like a wart). I didn't think anything of it, until after about 4 days a perfectly-shaped red circle started to develop around it (no texture, only a color change), and the skin between the bump and the circle was pale. It also hurt - not sharp pain, but deep throbbing that felt like it was coming from inside my finger instead of the skin. It swelled a bit but didn't itch.
A few days later, both the surrounding joints are quite swollen (can hardly move the finger as the base joint is so big) and the spot where the original bump was has a circle of itchy, blistered skin around it. The whole finger hurts; the skin problem is near the base, but if i press on something with the tip of the finger that also hurts.

Doctor said erythema multiforme - though it doesn't look right, as the swelling isn't explained

More detail... i'm in Tibet and there are no English-speaking doctors and generally nobody has the patience to translate thoroughly - however, I think it looks like a viral skin infection or an insect bite. The internal pain and joint swelling makes it look like something entered my finger where the bump was and is spreading steadily throughout my hand, and the daily increase in symptoms makes me very nervous. They told me it was because of the cold (air and water), but won't listen to my explanation of how it developed. There is no one here who can help me and no English-speaking doctor (though i could buy medicine if I knew what i needed), so I would be very grateful for any guesses or advice! Thank you.

Answer 1

I'm sure he asked you a bunch of questions like could it be a bug bite? Could you have accidentally pricked yourself with something?

Try going to another doctor if you are not satisfied with this answer you got before. That condition is associated with herpes simplex, maybe you should check more into it and try to get some tests to make sure. You definitely should follow up on this one.

If it is a bug bite it could have gotten infected and could need a serious round of antibiotics. The swelling could definitely indicate you had some sort of allergic reaction and maybe only a hospital could help. They could put you on some very strong antibiotics and maybe some anti-inflammatory drugs or an anti-histamine. If you leave this be, it could definitely become disastrous. Check it out!

Answer 2

Could it be MRSA? If you work, or are around someone who does, in a hospital, prison, school, or any other place where a lot of people are in one place you may have a methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus infection. Also known as MRSA. If there is a pus like substance that you can extract from the site I would go to the Doc immediately for a culture. This is highly contagious and difficult to get rid of. Bactrim and Hibi-cleanse will usually do the trick but sometimes it comes back. Its Bad news. Ill post an info link below: (Ive been dealing with these "bumps" for 3 years and just got them to go away for good!)

Answer 3

ok, im not sure what it is however, if it is a bite of some kind there is a burn cream called silvadene cream. You can try that just put it on a wrap it up and give it a couple days and you will see improvement. There is also a salve that draws things to the top of the skin and it is called Prid. It is really dark brown and all you need is a little bit. Wrap it with a bandaid and leave it there for a couple of days and if there is anything in it you will see it on the bandaid. Hope this helps and goodluck.

Answer 4

Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms include an erythema migrans rash, which may be followed weeks to months later by neurologic, cardiac, or joint abnormalities. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, but acute and convalescent antibody titers may be helpful. Treatment is with antibiotics such as doxycycline or, for serious infections, ceftriaxone.
Please note that I am not a medical professional.
Please see the web page for more details and images on Lyme disease.

Answer 5

I would try harder to find a doctor. I'm scared. I you have a spider bite it could be so serious. Go to a doctor who doesn't speak English and let him look at it. It may be something he sees alot. Can you get someone else to translate?