What is finger clubbing?

Finger clubbing usually affects the top of the fingers on both hands. And can also affect toes. It seems to happen in stages:

  • there is softening of the base of the nail (nail bed) and redness (erythema) of the skin around the nail
  • the angle between the nail bed and the nail fold (the skin just below the cuticle) increases, which causes the nail to curve more than usual
  • the nail and the skin around the nail look shiny, and the nail has ridges along the length of it
  • the ends of the fingers look larger, giving the ‘clubbed’ appearance

Finger clubbing generally takes years to develop. But it can happen quicker in certain conditions such as a lung abscess.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA)

In the later stages of finger clubbing, extra areas of bone might form on the finger joints, wrists and ankles. This is sometimes mistaken for arthritis and is called hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA).

Who can get finger clubbing?

Finger clubbing can be a sign of a number of underlying health conditions, particularly of the lungs or heart. This includes cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. But finger clubbing can also be found in some people with thyroid problems or other conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Many people with these conditions don’t have finger clubbing.

What causes finger clubbing?

It is not clear what causes finger clubbing. It may be due to large cells called megakaryocytes getting stuck in the small blood vessels in the tips of the fingers. Megakaryocytes are usually in the bone marrow Open a glossary item and make platelets, which we need for blood clotting.

When stuck in the fingertips, the megakaryocytes start to release growth factors which lead to an increase in blood vessels and tissue growth, and a build up of fluid.

Related Posts

THE AGE OF CONFIDENT ALLURE

She steps into the sunlight with the calm assurance of someone who has learned that confidence never wrinkles. The lines on her face are not limits—they’re medals,…

THE COUPLE WHO BROKE THE INTERNET — AND ALL THE RULES

Some couples get attention for their outfits. Others, for their travel photos. But this pair? They went viral simply by standing together — proving that love has…

My Rich Boyfriend Rented a Fake Cheap Apartment to Test My Loyalty

Some love stories are grand and poetic—this one began with spilled coffee and sarcasm. The narrator accidentally ruined a stranger’s papers in a café, only to be…

Diane Keaton (1946–2025): Forever in Our hearts

Diane Keaton was more than an actress; she was an icon whose spirit illuminated every role she embraced. With her unique charm, wit, and authenticity, she redefined…

Jeep Smashes Buggy, Ejects Family of 9 Amish ~ Five children were…See more

A tragic late-night crash on October 7 shattered the quiet of rural Berne, Indiana, when a Jeep collided with a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Road 218….

BREAKING NEWS!! Sad news just confirmed the passing of…See more

The bodies of three men have been recovered following a devastating mudslide near Lillooet, B.C., while search efforts continue for a fourth man still missing, according to…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *