Help with diagnosis - long term painful rash on the hand - at wits' end!!

Allergies, blood and immune system
1

Hi all,

I'm looking for some help with identifying the rash on my hand, which I've had for over a year now. All five of the digits of my right hand (I'm predominately right-handed) have been affected - it starts out as little clear-grey bubbles beneath the skin, which are extremely itchy, before they come to the surface as yellow blisters which pop (also v. itchy), destroying the layers of skin so that huge patches are cracked & bleeding, with the skin flaking off (lovely, I know!). The skin tends to peel off in circles which mimic the blisters (but it's white, it's not red rings, like I've seen on some pictures of the internet). This is mainly on the undersides of my fingers - the backs of my fingers also have the skin peeling off, which is red & raw & extremely painful & often very hot & sometimes bleeding, but not as cracked as the undersides. 

At first, the doctor thought it was exczema, as I have a history of that, but none of the ointments & creams suggested have worked. The only thing which has come close to having any kind of effect was a corticosteriod including antibiotics, which makes me think it's an infection, but general internet wisdom is that infections on the hand are quite rare? I don't think it's anything I'm touching at work (I'm an administrator) or at home. (Though where I live is quite damp, which probably doesn't help??).

I ** finally ** get to see a dermotologist in two weeks' time, but to be honest, I'm at my wits' end now as it's constantly painful & I haven't slept properly in weeks from the pain. 

Has anyone had anything similar or have any ideas as to what it could be? I can tell you it's neither exczema or celiac (my mum's a celiac, so the dr tested for that). 

To try & relieve the pain, I wrap my fingers in cotton gauze with antiseptic cream, but it's not a long term solution. Could anyone suggest anything else to help?

Many thanks for all of this & apologies for the long post - I just don't know what to do any more! ( And happy to email pictures of it if that would help anyone pass judgement!)

Kind regards,

Chavella.

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Chavell, have your doctor check to see if you have Dermatomyositis.  I was diagnosed with it on October 13. I went on the internet and found out that finger blisters around cuticles and fingernails is associated with this auto immune disease.  My fingers hurts so bad it takes me twice as long to do the things that I used to do. I am now on three steroids.

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Hi Louella, thank you for the suggestion! I'm seeing the Dr again today, so I'll ask her if that's a possibility! It's not on the cuticles/ fingernails, but I did some reading about it and it looks like it can show itself on the joints too. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis - your finger sounds so sore & it must be utterly miserable! I hope it settles down soon & I wish you all the best smile

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Hi Chavella, I'm so pleased to read that you have an appointment with a Dermatologist because that is who you need to see.

Do you use gloves to protect your hands when you are doing housework etc.?  Non latex disposables are probably the best at the moment.

I had an unidentifiable 'rash' for about 4 years before my GPs would refer me and that turned out to be an autoimmune skin disease.  As soon as I was started on oral steroids, the dreadful itching stopped, so, there is hope for you!  The Dermatologist also gave me Dermovate steroid cream, which is classed as 'very potent'.  GPs tend to shy away from the very potent creams.

Have you looked at the DermNetNZ website?  It has a lot of photos on it as well as a lot of information, it might help you to identify your particular problem.

Good luck Chavella.

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Have a look at this page https://www.dermnetnz.org/