10 Solutions for That 'Stuck' Finger: Effectively Treating Trigger Finger

4. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

A variety of over-the-counter medicines can help with alleviating trigger finger. Potential options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, which reduce inflammation the same way steroids do. Acetaminophen can also help reduce inflammation and pain. Usually, these medicines are used before a doctor prescribes steroid injections for treating trigger finger. If they don't offer relief, the next steps are the injections, followed by surgical intervention. Patients should be careful when they use anti-inflammatories, even if they're over-the-counter rather than prescription strength. This is because overuse can lead to stomach ulcers, which can cause death if they bleed without treatment. Patients may also develop kidney problems. If individuals have kidney issues already, they should ask their doctor about whether anti-inflammatories are safe to take. Acetaminophen is an effective alternative, since it's an analgesic rather than an anti-inflammatory medication.