Hand or finger pain can give you different feelings. They range from achy and dull to sharp and stabbing. Sometimes they feel like a cramp or even burning.

Also, the pain may or may not be constant. Sometimes it may start suddenly, then disappear. Any of these characteristics can apply the types of pain below.

A swollen finger is usually the sign of a broken bone. Usually the skin coloration changes to blue or purple. And it’s very painful (see cause 1. Finger Injury, below). Sometimes the broken bone is visible through the skin (called a compound or open fracture).

Some disorders cause throbbing pain when you move a finger. The most common conditions are advanced carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or tenosynovitis, and arthritis (these are discussed below). Carpal tunnel syndrome also makes fine movements difficult, and may cause shooting electric shocks, or sharp stabbing pain.

A finger dislocation is when bones misalign with their joints. In some instances the misalignment is clearly visible because the finger is crooked.

A lump (boil or nodule) on your hand or finger can cause pain. The lump can be fluid-filled, hard, moveable or tender to the touch. Treatment depends what's causing the lump and how severe your symptoms are. Most times, the lump resolves on its own.

By far, injury or trauma to the fingers or hand is the leading cause of finger pain. Over a million American workers report hand or finger injury each year. Of course, the number of people who do not report such injury on the job is probably many times greater than that number.

The types of traumas to the hand and fingers range widely. They can be simple cuts, scrapes, punctures or mild burns. But they can also be serious injuries like deep lacerations, severe abrasions, deep burns, finger crushes, and fractured bones. 

Most hand or finger pain due to injury can be treated easily. First, stop any bleeding with firm pressure and then apply a bandage. If the damage is more extensive, apply ice to reduce inflammation. Direct compression can help stop bleeding. Elevating your hand can also help control bleeding.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also called degenerative joint disease. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling at the joints due to cartilage breakdown. OA is most common in the smaller joints of the fingers. It usually develops with age which is why it's referred to a “wear and tear” disorder. However, it may also develop faster following an injury. 

A related condition, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. It’s when body attacks its own healthy joints. It is most often seen in the wrists, fingers, spine, and knees. RA usually worsens during periods of “flare-ups”. These cause increased pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness in the joints.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the major causes of finger pain. It is a type of peripheral neuropathy (see more below) caused by compression of the median nerve inside the wrist joint. The compression occurs because flexor tendons become irritated and begin to swell. Therefore, fundamentally, carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of inflamed flexor tendons. 

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome vary from person to person. The symptoms are always on the palm side of the hand and/or the fingers (never the pinky finger). These symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, clumsiness, burning, shooting electric shocks, and itching. 

Nobody is really certain why carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in some people but not in others. However, the major risk factors for acquiring carpal tunnel syndrome are occupations requiring strenuous hand activity, rapid and repetitive finger activity, pregnancy, or having prolonged (and/or poor) sitting posture.

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Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves of arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and hands are damaged. This disorder produces symptoms like hand or finger pain numbness, tingling (pins-and-needles), burning, and reduced sensation.

Damage to nerves can result from a mechanical injury, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, peripheral vascular disease, infection, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Peripheral neuropathy may also be a side effect of certain chemotherapies.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis (also called de Quervain’s syndrome or de Quervain’s disease) is a painful inflammation of the tendons in your lower thumb and wrist. As swollen tendons rub against the narrow tunnel in that area, it produces pain at the base of your thumb – often radiating into your forearm.

The exact cause of de Quervain's tenosynovitis is unknown. But the disorder seems to result from one of the following: a direct hit to the thumb, gaming, activities requiring prolonged gripping, rheumatoid arthritis, and repetitive stress.

You can test for de Quervain's tenosynovitis using the Finkelstein test. Make a fist with your thumb inside. Then bend your fist in the direction of your little finger. Pain at the indicated area in the photo above is positive for this condition.

Gout is a common and painful type of arthritis. It results in swollen, hot, red, and stiff joints. The condition occurs when uric acid builds up in the body. Uric acid results from eating foods like liver, anchovies, and dried beans or peas. Gout happens when the uric acid doesn’t normally dissolve in the blood. Instead, it forms sharp, stabbing crystals. When the crystals are located in your joints, it becomes very painful. The same crystals can also produce kidney stones.

Most times, gout first attacks the big toe. It can also affect the ankles, heels, knees, elbow, wrists, and fingers. As it begins, pain can come and go. But I time, it occurs more often.

Risk factors for having gout include: being male, a family history of gout, diabetes, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and eating foods rich in purines.

Dactylitis is condition where swelling of your fingers or toes gives them a sausage-like appearance. This condition is associated with an autoimmune inflammatory form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. Dactylitis can cause fingers or toes to be painful, red, and swollen.

Scleroderma is a disorder that produces a thickening and hardening of the skin (as well as other organs). It happens because your body over-produces collagen. First and foremost, scleroderma produces toughened and shiny skin. It also can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the finger joints.

Trigger finger (or stenosing tenosynovitis) is when the sheath surrounding a tendon inflames. This causes the inner tendon itself to “catch” when you try moving the finger. 

Trigger finger commonly occurs at the base of the finger. The most common symptoms are a catching or popping feeling when you move a finger. As the finger moves, it reaches the trigger point, whereupon it releases so you can move it freely again. It might be difficult to bend or fully straighten your finger.

Trigger finger may also be accompanied by pain. The trigger area may be especially painful to the touch. It may also be swollen. Many patients also feel stiffness in their finger. Long periods of inactivity can make symptoms worse.

The causes of trigger finger are not well understood. But some conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of developing it.

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled bump beneath the skin. It is most often found over a tendon or joint in the hand or wrist. A ganglion cyst forms when there is a small tear in the sleeve of thin tissue that covers a joint or tendon. The tissue bulges and forms a sac. Fluid from the joint leaks into the sac and causes swelling.

A ganglion cyst usually is more irritating than painful. Symptoms include a visible, smooth lump on the skin. You may also have one of the following: pain or pressure when bending the joint, tingling or numbness, and reduced range of motion.

A rare disorder of the blood vessels, Raynaud's disease usually involves the fingers and toes. Sometimes Raynaud's disease is called "white finger" disorder. The blood vessels in those areas become narrow when you are exposed to cold or feeling emotionally stressed. When this occurs, blood can't reach the skin’s surface, and the affected area turns white and blue. When blood flow returns, the skin turns red and tingles or throbs. In more severe cases of Raynaud’s disease, loss of circulation can cause sores or even tissue death.

Primary Raynaud's happens by itself, where the cause is not known. Secondary Raynaud's is caused by injuries, some drugs, or other diseases. Raynaud’s is more common in people living in cold climates. It is also more common in people with a family history of the disorder, women, and people over 30 years old.

Lupus (or systemic lupus erythematosus) is a chronic autoimmune disease. It can produce swelling and pain throughout your body. An autoimmune disease means that your body’s immune system is fighting itself, especially healthy tissue. 

Lupus causes joint pain, skin sensitivity, and rashes. It also causes problems with internal organs such as the brain, lungs, kidneys, and heart. It’s common for symptoms to come and go, called flare-ups. Symptoms can be mild or not even noticeable. But they can also be so severe they adversely affect your daily life.

Lupus is ten times more common in women. There are several types of the disorder. The most common is systemic lupus erythematosus. Others are cutaneous lupus erythematosus (affecting the skin) causing sun sensitivity, rashes, and hair loss. Drug-induced lupus is caused by certain medications, and usually resolves when the drug is removed. Neonatal lupus is rarer, and found in infants at birth. 

The causes of finger pain and hand pain can vary from trauma to disease. Understanding the characteristics of that pain, as well as the symptoms, can pinpoint the exact cause. Only then can you treat the problem effectively.