What the hell is going on with my hands?
Discussion
For the past couple of weeks I’ve had some weird s
t going on with my hands, at first I thought I’d been bitten by something as it was only on one finger but now I’m getting the same symptoms on both hands.
On my right hand, my little, ring and middle fingers have some redness on the tip and when I press on them (or type on a keyboard) they feel like I’ve scolded them on something. On the outside of my middle and little fingers on the same hand there’s some irritation the same as the picture below, which is of my left hand.
My left hand is the worst, on the outside of my ring and little fingers is similar irritation, which is slightly itchy if I think about it. The problem on that hand is inside the joint on my index and middle fingers. If I clench my fist, it feels like the skin is really tight and I’m going to burst something, if that makes any sense at all?
Ordinarily I’d go to the doctors but given the current situation, I’d rather avoid that.
What could it be? Bites? Soap allergy? Frostbite? Zombie virus?
I appreciate that the internet isn’t exactly the best doctors surgery but it’s all I’ve got right now.
Left hand
Right hand
Edit - it looks worse in the flesh than those pictures, the left hand particularly.
t going on with my hands, at first I thought I’d been bitten by something as it was only on one finger but now I’m getting the same symptoms on both hands.On my right hand, my little, ring and middle fingers have some redness on the tip and when I press on them (or type on a keyboard) they feel like I’ve scolded them on something. On the outside of my middle and little fingers on the same hand there’s some irritation the same as the picture below, which is of my left hand.
My left hand is the worst, on the outside of my ring and little fingers is similar irritation, which is slightly itchy if I think about it. The problem on that hand is inside the joint on my index and middle fingers. If I clench my fist, it feels like the skin is really tight and I’m going to burst something, if that makes any sense at all?
Ordinarily I’d go to the doctors but given the current situation, I’d rather avoid that.
What could it be? Bites? Soap allergy? Frostbite? Zombie virus?
I appreciate that the internet isn’t exactly the best doctors surgery but it’s all I’ve got right now.
Left hand
Right hand
Edit - it looks worse in the flesh than those pictures, the left hand particularly.
First thing to think about is there anything you've changed in the last 3-4 weeks that might be casuing some kid of reaction in your hands. New soap, gloves, tissues, cleaning habits, etc...
Think about what you're doing with your hands over the next day or so and think if you've changed anything related recently.
I once had a team member who was starting to go the doctors every couple of days becuase he had the most horrendous neck and head aches. After his second day off work I was talking to him and asked him if he had a new pillow or somthing similar. Yep, he'd recently moved house and his missus has bought new pillows. He changed his pillows back and the pain was gone in 2 days!
Think about what you're doing with your hands over the next day or so and think if you've changed anything related recently.
I once had a team member who was starting to go the doctors every couple of days becuase he had the most horrendous neck and head aches. After his second day off work I was talking to him and asked him if he had a new pillow or somthing similar. Yep, he'd recently moved house and his missus has bought new pillows. He changed his pillows back and the pain was gone in 2 days!
I’ve been trying to work our what it might be for a while but nothing jumps out. I’ve always washed my hands regularly but obviously like everyone I’m doing it a few times more at the moment.
At work, we’ve rarely got the same soap for more than a few days but it’s always a pump too gel type, the current one is an Asda one, a couple of days ago it was Carex, there’s no pattern there.
I’ve used the same hand cream for years and it’s been fine, I don’t wear gloves regularly but if I do they’re Nitrile ones and they’ve never caused a problem.
I don’t take any pills, my diet hasn’t changed, I’m not going to a new place regularly or anything, it’s weird.
The only thing I can think is that it’s an infection or a reaction to a bite but that doesn’t explain why it’s on both hands so it can’t be.
At work, we’ve rarely got the same soap for more than a few days but it’s always a pump too gel type, the current one is an Asda one, a couple of days ago it was Carex, there’s no pattern there.
I’ve used the same hand cream for years and it’s been fine, I don’t wear gloves regularly but if I do they’re Nitrile ones and they’ve never caused a problem.
I don’t take any pills, my diet hasn’t changed, I’m not going to a new place regularly or anything, it’s weird.
The only thing I can think is that it’s an infection or a reaction to a bite but that doesn’t explain why it’s on both hands so it can’t be.
I got something that resembled this, couldn't say what caused it either. Could push the skin and what seemed to be spots would burst releasing liquid (disgusting I know), really itchy, then I left them and they went. Also suffer from eczema (self diagnosed) not sure if it's related. Comes and goes.
Looks like a similar reaction I have to metal. Put a cheap metal watch on etc that's what the area it touches will look like the next day.
Another similar thing is stress. My mums hands blister when stressed similar to the sides of your fingers. Again could be a number of things. Not helpful that you cant even see a doctor right now for anything.
My gf mother has a new lump on her chest/bottom neck and ear pains going down her neck. Nothing they can do, prescribed antibiotics over the phone. Hmm. Worrying. Wont accept a visit. So fingers crossed it's nothing too serious and only a bad ear infection (she does have problems with her ears)
Another similar thing is stress. My mums hands blister when stressed similar to the sides of your fingers. Again could be a number of things. Not helpful that you cant even see a doctor right now for anything.
My gf mother has a new lump on her chest/bottom neck and ear pains going down her neck. Nothing they can do, prescribed antibiotics over the phone. Hmm. Worrying. Wont accept a visit. So fingers crossed it's nothing too serious and only a bad ear infection (she does have problems with her ears)
Drezza said:
I got something that resembled this, couldn't say what caused it either. Could push the skin and what seemed to be spots would burst releasing liquid (disgusting I know), really itchy, then I left them and they went. Also suffer from eczema (self diagnosed) not sure if it's related. Comes and goes.
Pompholyx - a form of eczema.drmike37 said:
Please do bear in mind that I am a bone doctor, not a rheumatologist, but it looks like Vasculitis to me.
I’d call the gp. They can do video consultations now.
I agree, looks like a vasculitis. Phone your practice as it would be sensible to get some bloods and a urine test.I’d call the gp. They can do video consultations now.
With those pointers, I’ve googled various different types of dermatitis and discovered that I’ve suffered with this - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis - which normally happens after I wash my hands but don’t rinse them properly, so I guess this is something along those lines.
Today I’m wearing nitrile gloves filled with barrier cream to see if it helps.
I might try to ring the GP anyway.
Today I’m wearing nitrile gloves filled with barrier cream to see if it helps.
I might try to ring the GP anyway.
Dyshidrosis? - dermatitis of sorts. Cause. Unknown.
I suffer from Raynauds (ie finger expert!). Cause. Unknown
Lots and lots of skin and itching and allergy problems about today.
More so than when we used good ol' fashioned soap many moons ago (ie Lifebuoy carbolic).
The numbers of younger people with Raynauds seems unprecedented. I'm old. Mine only started a couple or so years ago.
I researched it and was shocked at some so young. I know a 19 yr old with it.
I get fed up asking about ailments 'What causes it?
And so many times getting 'We really don't know... but you can try this medication.' Nah.
I'd suggest using a good old fashioned 'soap' not bloody 'gels', and see how you progress
Only, that is, if you can't see your GP.
Me? Seeing a gp now isn't easy. I'd go straight to a pharmacist (they're open), then to another pharmacist
Why? Second, even third opinions are great! I swear by them.
If they all say the same, you'll probably have your answer.
If they all say different, you're back to where you started, they don't know!
Raynauds (yep, my hand) - had just come in from outside - it was chilly Feb!
I'd tried everything from hand warmers to silver lined gloves etc. Waste of time.
Note, I'm in shower room - put hands under warm running water (fairly cheap, cheaper than meds!)
Bingo! Back to life.
Now, if only I could carry warm water with me outside. Roll on the summer.
In fact, roll on this weekend, looks warm. I love the sun but some people these days are scared of it!
Vit D. We get too little of it.
I suffer from Raynauds (ie finger expert!). Cause. Unknown
Lots and lots of skin and itching and allergy problems about today.
More so than when we used good ol' fashioned soap many moons ago (ie Lifebuoy carbolic).
The numbers of younger people with Raynauds seems unprecedented. I'm old. Mine only started a couple or so years ago.
I researched it and was shocked at some so young. I know a 19 yr old with it.
I get fed up asking about ailments 'What causes it?
And so many times getting 'We really don't know... but you can try this medication.' Nah.
I'd suggest using a good old fashioned 'soap' not bloody 'gels', and see how you progress
Only, that is, if you can't see your GP.
Me? Seeing a gp now isn't easy. I'd go straight to a pharmacist (they're open), then to another pharmacist
Why? Second, even third opinions are great! I swear by them.
If they all say the same, you'll probably have your answer.
If they all say different, you're back to where you started, they don't know!
Raynauds (yep, my hand) - had just come in from outside - it was chilly Feb!
I'd tried everything from hand warmers to silver lined gloves etc. Waste of time.
Note, I'm in shower room - put hands under warm running water (fairly cheap, cheaper than meds!)
Bingo! Back to life.
Now, if only I could carry warm water with me outside. Roll on the summer.
In fact, roll on this weekend, looks warm. I love the sun but some people these days are scared of it!
Vit D. We get too little of it.
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