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There are many causes of thumb pain. You can often ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.
If you see a GP about pain in your thumb, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
rest your thumb when you can
put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a towel and place it on your thumb for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
take paracetamol
take off any jewellery if your thumb looks swollen
stop or cut down activities that are causing the pain – for example, typing, using vibrating tools for work, or playing an instrument
wear a splint to support your thumb and ease pain, especially at night – you can get these at most pharmacies and supermarkets
consider taping something like a lollipop stick to your thumb – this will keep it in place until you can get a splint
consider using gadgets or tools to make difficult or painful tasks easier – for example, to open jars or chop vegetables
keep your thumb moving with gentle exercises
do not use ibuprofen in the first 48 hours after an injury
do not use heat packs or have hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury
do not lift heavy objects or grip anything too tightly
You can ask a pharmacist about:
These might be signs of a broken thumb.
Thumb pain is often caused by bruising or injuring your thumb.
Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what's causing the pain in your thumb.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling, bruising after an injury | Sprained thumb |
| Pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of the thumb that lasts a long time, may be hard to move your thumb, may have a lump | Tendonitis (de Quervain's disease) or arthritis |
| Aching pain that's worse at night, numbness or pins and needles, a weak thumb or difficulty gripping | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Pain or tenderness in your palm at the base of your thumb, stiffness, clicking when you move your finger or thumb | Trigger thumb |
| Sudden, sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury | Broken thumb |
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
