Skin problem - Hands cracking.
Discussion
I need your help please.
About a year ago, i noticed that my hands were becoming itchy in certain areas. I thoght nothing of it, until i noticed darker patches on my palms which were very itchy. The skin on these grew harder and harder until i could pick bits off (yuck).
At the same time this started on the sides of my fingers. First scratchy and then developing into deep splits, which bleed and are quite painful.
I went to the GP who tried all manner of emolients, steroids and moisturisers. After a few visits, she gave up and asked if i wanted to see a dermatoligist at the local hospital. I agreed but was told that there was a 9 -13 month waiting list. By this time even menial tasks such as driving, helping my children with basic tasks would cause my hands to split - quite a horrible feeling. Even washing was difficult and painful.
I decided to self fund private apointments with a dermatoligist. She has tried similar products to the GP and nothing has helped. I went on holiday to India over Xmas and it almost completly went away - could be a change of temperature, diet, food, less stress - I dont know.
I have my fourth appointment with the private dermatologist next week - and at £225 a time with a hefty prescription bill to add, I am not sure what value i am getting as the illness is still there.
Researching the internet leads to everything from hand aids, to ecxema to allergies. The GP did once pass comment that it could be a liver disorder, so i stopped my alcohol consumption. Nothing has changed, so maybe back onto the tins?
Any help appreciated, I can upload pics of the splits if that will help? But dont want anyones dinner on the keyboard.
About a year ago, i noticed that my hands were becoming itchy in certain areas. I thoght nothing of it, until i noticed darker patches on my palms which were very itchy. The skin on these grew harder and harder until i could pick bits off (yuck).
At the same time this started on the sides of my fingers. First scratchy and then developing into deep splits, which bleed and are quite painful.
I went to the GP who tried all manner of emolients, steroids and moisturisers. After a few visits, she gave up and asked if i wanted to see a dermatoligist at the local hospital. I agreed but was told that there was a 9 -13 month waiting list. By this time even menial tasks such as driving, helping my children with basic tasks would cause my hands to split - quite a horrible feeling. Even washing was difficult and painful.
I decided to self fund private apointments with a dermatoligist. She has tried similar products to the GP and nothing has helped. I went on holiday to India over Xmas and it almost completly went away - could be a change of temperature, diet, food, less stress - I dont know.
I have my fourth appointment with the private dermatologist next week - and at £225 a time with a hefty prescription bill to add, I am not sure what value i am getting as the illness is still there.
Researching the internet leads to everything from hand aids, to ecxema to allergies. The GP did once pass comment that it could be a liver disorder, so i stopped my alcohol consumption. Nothing has changed, so maybe back onto the tins?
Any help appreciated, I can upload pics of the splits if that will help? But dont want anyones dinner on the keyboard.
I work away for half the month and then have two weeks off at home. By the end of my two weeks at home my hands are in shreds - split fingers, dry skin etc... Within three or four days of being away at work they’re healing and back to normal. So, something at home is causing me problems much like yours, although by the sounds of it nowhere near as severe.
The only real variable between being home and away is simply washing my hands. At home it’s almost constant - if I’m not cleaning them before and after preparing food for the children I’m cleaning them after getting them dirty doing DIY or gardening. At work I clean them maybe once or twice a day. Could overwashing be a problem for you?
I’ve tried all the creams and nothing worked until I started using ‘Working Hands’. It’s incredible and genuinely works wonders with my hands.
The only real variable between being home and away is simply washing my hands. At home it’s almost constant - if I’m not cleaning them before and after preparing food for the children I’m cleaning them after getting them dirty doing DIY or gardening. At work I clean them maybe once or twice a day. Could overwashing be a problem for you?
I’ve tried all the creams and nothing worked until I started using ‘Working Hands’. It’s incredible and genuinely works wonders with my hands.
Have you looked at/tried chai seed oil? Supposed to be very good for skin.
Apparently: "Omega-3 fatty acids are very good anti-inflammatories AND they also help increase sebum production, which is really helpful for dry or cracked skin. They help the skin's barrier function to maintain moisture levels"
Anything's worth a try, eh. Or some additions/changes to your diet - pages 133 & 134 sound quite interesting but weren't written by a doc, that's for sure:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5495PY-iWz0C&a...
Apparently: "Omega-3 fatty acids are very good anti-inflammatories AND they also help increase sebum production, which is really helpful for dry or cracked skin. They help the skin's barrier function to maintain moisture levels"
Anything's worth a try, eh. Or some additions/changes to your diet - pages 133 & 134 sound quite interesting but weren't written by a doc, that's for sure:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5495PY-iWz0C&a...
Edited by ReverendCounter on Saturday 13th January 00:54
Get yourself a nice healthy aloe Vera plant, keep it in a light location indoors. Chop off a few inches from one of the leaves, slice it open, rub the natural moisturiser into your hands - it’s amazing stuff!
Also look at your washing and hand cleaning products - I get on very badly with anything citrus. Use gloves for tasks where possible to reduce the number of times they get wet.
Also look at your washing and hand cleaning products - I get on very badly with anything citrus. Use gloves for tasks where possible to reduce the number of times they get wet.
2 ideas:
Might it relate to some sort of exposure at work (Strange how it cleared up when you were on holiday)? Go to your H&S rep and ask if anything you work with is a known cause of dermatitis. You'd be surprised at the length of the list. You might be sensitive to it and others get no reaction at all.
I've found Flexitol works very well - put it on overnight as it does vaguely smell of urine.
Might it relate to some sort of exposure at work (Strange how it cleared up when you were on holiday)? Go to your H&S rep and ask if anything you work with is a known cause of dermatitis. You'd be surprised at the length of the list. You might be sensitive to it and others get no reaction at all.
I've found Flexitol works very well - put it on overnight as it does vaguely smell of urine.
If it's any help my psoriasis always clears up fully when I spend time away in hotter climates. I put this mainly down to the change in climate obviously but also because I eat more fresh food and tend to take on lot more water than I do naturally at home in the UK, can't stand the stuff normally!
I'm on methotrexate now as the psoriasis is effecting my joints and it's been more effective than than any of the previous treatments which have been limited to just creams, it's just the side effects are not always the best!
Have you been prescribed either a coal tar solution on it's own or mixed with a steroidal cream? It's turned out to be the best of the creams for me. I take it you've had betnovate and Dobovet, that type of thing? Unfortunately none of the steroidal applications can be used for long periods of time so don't represent a permanent solution for the likes of me.
I'm on methotrexate now as the psoriasis is effecting my joints and it's been more effective than than any of the previous treatments which have been limited to just creams, it's just the side effects are not always the best!
Have you been prescribed either a coal tar solution on it's own or mixed with a steroidal cream? It's turned out to be the best of the creams for me. I take it you've had betnovate and Dobovet, that type of thing? Unfortunately none of the steroidal applications can be used for long periods of time so don't represent a permanent solution for the likes of me.
I have never experienced as badly as you, but occasionally I have very dry cracking hands in particular.
On every occasion it has been down to soap/shower gel.
Once, I went away for work for the week, and being tight, I used the hotel provided 'luxury' shower gel. My skin all over was very dry, and got worse and worse until I tried changing back to my own shower gel and it went within a few days.
At my work, they refurbished the toilets and installed those soap dispensers that give a 'pre-foamed' product for want of a better description. It destroyed my hands so I now bring in my own soap.
I have never been allergic to anything in my life, so it never occurred to me i was reacting to the soaps. Worth getting a very sensitive had wash and carrying it around with you for a week or so maybe and only ever using it.
I don't know if it will help, but it worked for me (albeit mine was not as bad after only a few days) and it is nearly free to try.
On every occasion it has been down to soap/shower gel.
Once, I went away for work for the week, and being tight, I used the hotel provided 'luxury' shower gel. My skin all over was very dry, and got worse and worse until I tried changing back to my own shower gel and it went within a few days.
At my work, they refurbished the toilets and installed those soap dispensers that give a 'pre-foamed' product for want of a better description. It destroyed my hands so I now bring in my own soap.
I have never been allergic to anything in my life, so it never occurred to me i was reacting to the soaps. Worth getting a very sensitive had wash and carrying it around with you for a week or so maybe and only ever using it.
I don't know if it will help, but it worked for me (albeit mine was not as bad after only a few days) and it is nearly free to try.
Thanks all. I really appreciate your help and suggestions.
I can relate to a few of the suggestions already and will definatly try the aloe vera.
My work place has chaged soap to pre-foamed within the last 12 mths - so this is worth avoiding - good call!
I will let you know how i get on.
I can relate to a few of the suggestions already and will definatly try the aloe vera.
My work place has chaged soap to pre-foamed within the last 12 mths - so this is worth avoiding - good call!
I will let you know how i get on.
Is there something you use that might be causing it? My sister had dreadful dry skin and cracking on her hands, and nowhere else. She was a teacher.
Turns out she is allergic to chalk!
Weirdly,my youngest daughter also has the same thing, which didn't show up until she started going climbing.........
Turns out she is allergic to chalk!
Weirdly,my youngest daughter also has the same thing, which didn't show up until she started going climbing.........
I get terrible dermititus on my hands, cracked and dry skin, bleeding and split ends of fingers, I tried various things but nothing works better than aqueous cream, it can be purchased from any pharmacy and it's cheap £2-£3 for a big tub.
I used to wash my hands with it as well as moisturising with it, but now I wash my hands as normal with whatever soap we have and then apply it straight after, I decanted some into a small plastic bottle, which sits in my work bag so I can apply it when needed.
The last thing that I do before going to bed is apply it, so it has all night to work its magic.
It's fantastic stuff.
I used to wash my hands with it as well as moisturising with it, but now I wash my hands as normal with whatever soap we have and then apply it straight after, I decanted some into a small plastic bottle, which sits in my work bag so I can apply it when needed.
The last thing that I do before going to bed is apply it, so it has all night to work its magic.
It's fantastic stuff.
Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 14th January 10:14
Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 14th January 10:15
My day job is project management for the government and my hobbies are far and few between.
My guess is that it is the pre-foamed soap at work or something in my diet. I was worried that it was my liver suffering from alcohol so gave up over xmas, no change!
I will inverstigate and see what I can pin point, I suspect that the handwash at work is to blame. I will visit my private dermotoligist one last time this week.
My guess is that it is the pre-foamed soap at work or something in my diet. I was worried that it was my liver suffering from alcohol so gave up over xmas, no change!
I will inverstigate and see what I can pin point, I suspect that the handwash at work is to blame. I will visit my private dermotoligist one last time this week.
Are you actually hands on or a desk jockey? It might surprise you the number of things that different people can be susceptible to contact dermatitis. Your H&S department should have data sheets on any chemicals, metals etc that you handle. This should include the liquid soap too.
You could try just applying it to the back of one hand to be certain it's the soap causing it. If it is you should report it. They should either change it or supply an alternative. After all where theses blame there's a claim!?,
You could try just applying it to the back of one hand to be certain it's the soap causing it. If it is you should report it. They should either change it or supply an alternative. After all where theses blame there's a claim!?,
Are you actually hands on or a desk jockey? It might surprise you the number of things that different people can be susceptible to contact dermatitis. Your H&S department should have data sheets on any chemicals, metals etc that you handle. This should include the liquid soap too.
You could try just applying it to the back of one hand to be certain it's the soap causing it. If it is you should report it. They should either change it or supply an alternative. After all where theses blame there's a claim!?,
You could try just applying it to the back of one hand to be certain it's the soap causing it. If it is you should report it. They should either change it or supply an alternative. After all where theses blame there's a claim!?,
Childs Farm baby moisturiser from Boots will sort you out.
I've tried everything and i do mean everything as i've had this pretty much since birth.
I was recommended to try this and although i was sceptical as always it actually works. I was amazed it did but i would definitely recommend it, if it can clear mine up it can clear anyones up.
I've tried everything and i do mean everything as i've had this pretty much since birth.
I was recommended to try this and although i was sceptical as always it actually works. I was amazed it did but i would definitely recommend it, if it can clear mine up it can clear anyones up.
I'm a bit reticent to start giving advice as you've already seen a lot of people that know a lot more about it than me.
However, I picked up a skin complaint many years ago during a lab move whilst i was doing my PhD. It started as a small rough patch of skin on my palm and spread across my hand and up my little finger. I had it for years, sometime is would get worse (bleeding splitting etc) and other times it would be better but always there. Being a bloke I never went to the Drs......
I then became a father and our son got a fungal skin infection which we took him to the Drs for, the Dr prescribed some antifungal cream which I dutifully applied and rubbed the excess into my hands. Lo and behold my skin complaint cleared up (as did my son's). It appears that I'd picked up a chronic fungal infection from some dark corner of our biochemistry lab (had it for at least 5 years). It also seems likely that my boys skin infection probably came from me
Never had a problem since and my eldest son is coming up 10 this year.
However, I picked up a skin complaint many years ago during a lab move whilst i was doing my PhD. It started as a small rough patch of skin on my palm and spread across my hand and up my little finger. I had it for years, sometime is would get worse (bleeding splitting etc) and other times it would be better but always there. Being a bloke I never went to the Drs......
I then became a father and our son got a fungal skin infection which we took him to the Drs for, the Dr prescribed some antifungal cream which I dutifully applied and rubbed the excess into my hands. Lo and behold my skin complaint cleared up (as did my son's). It appears that I'd picked up a chronic fungal infection from some dark corner of our biochemistry lab (had it for at least 5 years). It also seems likely that my boys skin infection probably came from me
Never had a problem since and my eldest son is coming up 10 this year.
R8Steve said:
Childs Farm baby moisturiser from Boots will sort you out.
I've tried everything and i do mean everything as i've had this pretty much since birth.
I was recommended to try this and although i was sceptical as always it actually works. I was amazed it did but i would definitely recommend it, if it can clear mine up it can clear anyones up.
I tried Childs Farm, it has rave reviews; it made my hands worse.I've tried everything and i do mean everything as i've had this pretty much since birth.
I was recommended to try this and although i was sceptical as always it actually works. I was amazed it did but i would definitely recommend it, if it can clear mine up it can clear anyones up.
I think it just goes to show that there isn't a definate and easy one for all fix, I've mentioned Aqueous cream as being the best for me and yet someone on here said it didn't work for them.
I, like you, have had similar issues. Mine started on my index finger on my right hand, spread to the knuckle on that finger. It's since spread to the other index finger in a small patch between the 1st and 2nd knuckle (like on my right hand), and it's developing on the knuckle on my right ring finger and knuckle on my thumb. Sometimes I've had the pads of my fingers split, like all the rest of the parts have split over time. Very painful, and I've been suffering with it for 7 years.
I've had steriods and doublebase cream. The O'Keefe's Working Hands stuff helped, but hasn't cured them.
It's so weird. Sometimes I can go a month without any complaints, then spend 3 months alternating from dry hard skin to flaky cracked skin which starts to bleed.
I've been to several doctors, none of them know what it is. It's not on any other part of my body, just where I've described! I'm going to try apple cider vinegar and see what that does. But I'm following this with interest.
I've had steriods and doublebase cream. The O'Keefe's Working Hands stuff helped, but hasn't cured them.
It's so weird. Sometimes I can go a month without any complaints, then spend 3 months alternating from dry hard skin to flaky cracked skin which starts to bleed.
I've been to several doctors, none of them know what it is. It's not on any other part of my body, just where I've described! I'm going to try apple cider vinegar and see what that does. But I'm following this with interest.
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