Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Finger. Dry, Water Bubbles

Hi, I was playing Xbox Live one night and I noticed I had water bubbles, those similar to possibly an ant bite? I started popping them and they just kept coming back. Well weeks later, it spread and multiplied, now they are on my index fingers. It started on my thumb. Well I went to the Doctor, and he instantly said it was Eczema. He gave me 2 types of steroid creams and suggested I use lotion all the time and avoid hand soaps. Well, i've used all this stuff, avoided soaps, and now a year later, I still have it. It somehow disappeared from my thumb, but left a little raw spot, but that's fine. I have this stuff on my index fingers now to worry about! It's hideous looking, it gets very dry, and it won't go away.

Any tips? I've tried alot of the home remedies I found on the internet.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Brandon.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi,

Water bubbles on the palms of your hands are called blisters and the condition in medical terminology is - dyshidrosis.

There are many treatments available for dyshidrosis, however, few of them have been developed or tested specifically on the condition.

    * Topical steroids[1] - while useful, can be dangerous long-term due to the skin-thinning side-effects, which are particularly troublesome in the context of hand dyshidrosis, due to the amount of toxins and bacteria the hands typically come in contact with.
    * Nutritional deficiencies may be related, so addressing diet and vitamin intake is helpful
    * Hydrogen Peroxide - posited as a key alleviating treatment (not a cure) on a popular website, it is used in dilutions between 3% and 27% strength, but side-effects of its use include burning and itching, and there is argument as to whether it only attacks the 'sick cells'.
    * Potassium permanganate dilute solution soaks - also popular, and used to 'dry out' the vesicles,[2] and kill off superficial staphylococcus aureus,[3] but it can also be very painful. Undiluted it may cause significant burning.[4]
    * Domeboro (OTC) helps alleviate itching in the short term.
    * Emollients during the drying/scaling phase of the condition, to prevent cracking and itching.

I suggest you go through the following link and let me know if you have any other doubts or need any other information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis

It would be best to consult a doctor if it does not resolve .

Regards.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a similar issue.  I started getting these bubbles on the tip of my fingers about a year ago.  They look like they are underneath the skin, but some will sort of rise and look like you said a bug bite.  They come and go usually about once a month.  They do not itch or hurt or anything.  Then the skin on my thumb and index finger started to peel and it would even bleed sometimes.....it was very painful.  The peeling hasn't happened lately but the bubbles still occur.  I think the peeling only happened when I would try to pop the bubbles which I stopped doing.  Now, the tip of my middle finger and sometimes my thumb will become hard.  I went to the doctor about a year ago when I first started noticing the bumps and peeling.  He said that he wasn't quite sure what was causing it, and that there really isn't a test you can do.  He said that it looked like contact dermatitis....an allergy that I may have developed to something that I touch.....he said likely from cleaning products such as dish soap.  I got this cream that he prescribed (i forget the name) and it helped a lot with the painful peeling but not with the bumps.  He said it is something that will most likely come and go for the rest of my life.  The bubbles don't really bother me at all, they just sort of look gross.  I think it may also have a lot to do with the fact that I have always had a bad habit of biting my nails.  I have recently stopped doing that so I guess I will see if that helps at all.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Who said it was a blister =/ I don't rub at it, I don't feel like saying it again, I noticed these water bubbles, similar to ant bites, last September. I've seen the doctor twice about it, each visit he prescribed a stupid steroid cream that did nothing. At it's best (the 'eczema') it won't have any bubbles, just rough looked skin, or scarred, w/e you want to call it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Since when have you noticed the blisters?

'Blisters are usually caused by injury to the skin from heat or from friction, which create a tear between the epidermis—the upper layer of the skin—and the layers beneath. When this happens, the surface of the skin remains intact, but is pushed outwards as serum seeps into the newly created space between the layers.

Short periods of intense rubbing can cause a blister, but any rubbing of the skin at all can cause a blister if it is continued for long enough. Blisters are most common on the hands and feet, as these extremities are susceptible while walking, running, or performing repetitive motions. Blisters form more easily on moist skin than on dry or soaked skin, and are more common in warm conditions.

Sometimes, the skin can blister when it comes into contact with a cosmetic, detergent, solvent or other chemical; this is known as contact dermatitis. Blisters can also develop as a result of an allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blister

It would be best to consult a doctor if it does not resolve on its own in a few days. If a blister bursts, don't peel off the dead skin on top of the blister. Gently press the area to get rid of all the fluid inside, and then cover the blister and the area around it with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it heals.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dermatology Community

Top Dermatology Answerers
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn to identify and prevent bites from summer’s most common pests.
Doctors argue for legislation to curb this dangerous teen trend in the latest Missouri Medicine report.
10 ways to keep your skin healthy all winter long
How to get rid of lumpy fat on your arms, hips, thighs and bottom
Diet “do’s” and “don’ts” for healthy, radiant skin.
Images of rashes caused by common skin conditions