What is Dactylitis?
Dactylitis is a medical condition where the fingers or toes become swollen, giving them a sausage-like appearance. This swelling happens because of inflammation in the soft tissues, including tendons, joints, and sometimes the bones.

What Causes Dactylitis?
Several health conditions can lead to dactylitis. Some of the most common causes include:

• Psoriatic arthritis – an inflammatory arthritis linked with the skin condition psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects joints
• Sickle cell disease – a blood disorder that can block blood flow in small bones
• Reactive arthritis – often caused by an infection in another part of the body
• Tuberculosis and other infections – especially in children or people with weakened immune systems

Symptoms of Dactylitis

• Swelling of one or more fingers or toes
• Redness or warmth over the swollen area
• Pain or tenderness
• Limited movement or stiffness
• A sausage-like appearance of the digit

How is Dactylitis Diagnosed?
A doctor will typically diagnose dactylitis based on physical examination and medical history. Additional tests like blood work, X-rays, or MRI scans might be done to find the underlying cause and rule out other issues.

Treatment Options
Treatment depends on what’s causing the swelling. Common treatment options include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (like NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling
• Steroid injections for more severe inflammation
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in autoimmune conditions
• Antibiotics if an infection is involved
• Pain relief and rest

Can Dactylitis Be Prevented?
While you can’t always prevent dactylitis, managing underlying conditions like arthritis or sickle cell disease can reduce the risk. Staying healthy and treating infections promptly also helps.