Sudden appearance of a painful blue lump...what IS it?

Question

Last night, I discovered a painful, round, blue pea-sized lump between my thumb and index finger (in the "V" part.)

I didn't injure myself, it just suddenly made a startling appearance! What on earth is it? Is it some kind of varicose vein or burst blood vessel or something? It's really weird...

Today, it's still very painful, and the bruising seems to have spread a bit...

Anyway, thanks in advance!

Hafwen :o)

Answer 1

My friend, you didn't mention if it was on your writing hand or not. Clarify this and I'll try to help with an edit.

EDIT: I'll try to answer this anyway. It sounds to me like a symptom of Repetitive Stress. Which is pretty common for writers and/or musicians like yourself. A broken blood vessel is often not much more than the same thing as a blister, the kind carpenters get sometimes swinging a hammer all day.

It will go away on it's own after a few weeks or you could do what poor people do and gently prick it with a needle to let out the blood and reduce the swelling (just sterilize the needle and the hole made to let a little blood out).

What you do not want to do is soak it in hot water. That will only draw more blood into the area. If you're not sure (and I'm not always right) you could go to a clinic.

Answer 2

I broke a blood vessel on the back of my hand once - I don't know how it happened, but it was very painful, and took forever to stop spreading and heal. I should have gone to the doctor, but I'm kinda stubborn that way. lol  I would tell you to go have it checked out.