Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed? (Photo)

Question

I accidentally slammed my right thumb in a door. The nail fell out and when it grew back my thumb was longer and fatter at the tip because of excess skin. This makes my thumb look bigger than it actually should be. Can this excess skin be removed to make my thumb look the way it looked before the accident - (smaller and the same shape and size of my other thumb)? This is important to me. I always had such beautiful hands and I want my old thumb back.

Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS · Answer

I wouldn't recommend skin removal as the sensation at the tips of the fingers are very important for tactile sensation and scar never has as good of sensation as natural skin. You don't say how long ago your injury was, but if it has been less than a year, you likely still have some swelling.  The size of your thumb may not change though if the bone was fractured, which is a distinct possibility given that the entire distal thumb looks larger.  Give it time, then decide.  Good luck.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Post-traumatic change in shape of your thumb is more likely due to undiagnosed fracture of the sub-ungual distal phalanx than to "extra skin."Smashing of your thumb crushed and flattened the bone, avulsed the nail plate, and flattened the overlying nail bed.  The new nail plate grew in, conforming to the flattened nail bed shape.  The evidence is that from end-on view ( not shown here), your un-injured thumb tip is not as flat as the injured one.  You don't have extra skin, but the skin you have is distributed differently due to the changed shape of underlying skeletal support, and perhaps scar tissue as well.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and more appreciate the larger size of the thumb.  This really can't be reduced in a reliable and safe manner and its best, as someone else suggested, that you enjoy regular manicures and you may find that your thumb slowly returns close to your pre-injury size.

Terry E. Restivo, DO · Answer

The short answer is yes, the skin can be removed. However, this would be an out-of-pocket expense for you and finding a surgeon who is willing to do it is going to be even more challenging. If you are concerned about having "beautiful hands" I would spend your money on manicures and skin cream which as condition of your nails and skin is much more distracting than the size of your thumb.

Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed? (Photo)

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Answer: Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed?

Answer: Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed?

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Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed?

Answer: Can excess skin on the tip of my right thumb be removed?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hand Reconstructive Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.