EntertainmentUnmasking King Charles III's 'sausage fingers': Doctor delves into the mystery behind the swelling

Unmasking King Charles III's 'sausage fingers': Doctor delves into the mystery behind the swelling

King Karol III's fingers. Is he sick?
King Karol III's fingers. Is he sick?
Images source: © Getty Images | Maja Hitij

7:07 AM EST, January 14, 2024

King Charles III's finger condition has been a cause of concern amongst internet users. Speculations about him having some type of disease have been rife. However, some internet users have light-heartedly referred to them as "sausage fingers". 

Dr. Chun Tang, the director of Pall Mall Medical in Manchester, suggests that there could be myriad reasons for the unusual appearance of the king's fingers. 

Swollen fingers are often due to water retention in the body, caused by various health issues - informed the doctor to Daily Mail.

Understanding King Charles III's swollen fingers

- Inflammatory conditions can trigger swellings and it may be a symptom of arthritis, multiple bacterial infections, or even tuberculosis. High sodium levels, allergic reactions, medicine side-effects, injuries, or autoimmune diseases are other potential factors - elaborates Tang.

The technical term for this condition is dactylitis, or inflammation of the fingers.

It's vital to understand that not just fingers or hands can swell, but other body parts can also get affected. This swelling might result in discomfort, a sensation of warmth, or hinder movement, particularly in the fingers.

Arthritis is commonly associated with finger swelling, as observed in the case of King Charles III. Other potential causes are diseases of the immune system such as lupus or sarcoidosis.

Sometimes, individuals with swollen extremities might be suffering from Lyme disease, syphilis, or tuberculosis.

King Charles III has been linked with finger swelling since this past September. The term "sausage fingers" even trended on Google Search for a while.

Yet, King Charles III has not addressed the online speculations concerning his fingers.