Fingers wrinkly and sensitive and peeling

[guru84]

Hello,
I am 26 year old male and I have this problem that comes and goes. My fingers start by being sensitive to touch. Then after about a day the skin on the ends of my fingers, past the last knucle will go wrinkly as if I've been in the bath for too long. Then after a few days the skin will go dry and peel and crack. The whole thing last for probably a few weeks, then it will be better and go back to normal, then maybe in about 2 months it will come back and the same thing again. It keeps happening in this cycle. I have tried creams with cortisone but doesn't seem to help or only helps a bit. While this is happening my fingers are very sensitive and it is a terrible thing to live with, it makes me not want to touch anything and really slows me down at work. I don't think it's environmental to where I live because I lived in London and it happened there and now I live in Australia and it happens here too.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Sylandi]

I know this is a while ago--but I have the same problem the original poster describes, and I looked up pompholyx and the symptoms do not match. There are no blisters, there is no itching. Just wrinkles, tenderness, and peeling. (Also for me some peeling on my palms.)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like pompholyx. The other name is dyshidrotic eczema. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Cherie762]

Old fashioned cure works for me...at night rub a generous amount of vaseline..(petrolem jelly) on/into hands..you will have to sleep w wool mittens or socks on hands..not plastic gloves,,it works!! you have to use a good size amount..your skin will absorb it..repeat as many times as needed.