Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Sticky Skin Has Worsened To Something Unimaginable!

I have had a condition for a year when my skin becomes sticky when it is wet, then becomes normal when it completely drys.  All my doctors keeps sending me to other doctors who just basically tell me they think i'm crazy.  even my whole family,when i explain my symptoms think it's all in my head.  What is so upsetting about it is that I wear plastic gloves to keep whatever it is I've got from them.  and I remove the gloves, my fingers actually stick together when I remove them until the skin dries.  Now  all my fingers, face, lips arms legs everything on my body feels as if there is a thin, film or something that noone else can see, visually but me.  I know how my own skin feels normally.  sometime it feels like I am actually wearing a mask something. There is some redness but mostly noone, including my doctors can observe anything.  My dermotologist says hes never heard of such a thing, and when I told my family this,  they think I'm making it all up!  Yet I know I've got something i can't even explain to anyone anymore.  So i just quit talkig to them about it.   I have watched this thing spread from my underarms to my whole body then into my mouth and lips.  My eyes also now have the same stickyness around them and now even inside the eye causing vision problems and ocassionally an inability to clear the film from my eyes.  There is a severe burning sensation on my face now and believe it or not, I get strange flavors in my mouth, like an extreme salty taste, a bitter peppery taste and  now even, if I had to discribe it to anyone , i'd have to call it a bitter, salty mud taste.  There is a film in my mouth and teeth too.  I can't stand this anymore, I feel like I am a complete freak.  I've have strange chest pain and shortness of breath issues, which i think are completely related to my skin issue somehow, because the film I can feel this film down the back of my throat and my breathing worsens like a bad cold that will just not go away.  but the doctors just  say lose weight, and exercise.   Which i'm doing, but Like thats going to help my skin problem.  I cant find any answers.  I now am on arsinal of vitamins and suppliments trying to  find something, ANYTHING that might by chance correct whatever this is..  And I just keep watching it worsen..  It is so disheartening.   i met a guy online who said hes had similar symptoms and that he spread it to his whole family through showing inn the same shower.. it seems the only way to make people understand what I've got, is if they had it too.  Sure would like to find someone who an relate  it ***** out here alone!
69 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A common theme is many on this thread have suffered illness and stress.  I have the same symptoms.  My dermatologist did a scraping from under my breast and diagnosed seborrheic dermatitis.  It's most impacting on the scalp, face, armpits, sternum, etc since these have the most oil glands.  At its worst I had it everywhere including sticky hands and feet.  I still have a lot of tiny flakes on my scalp and some stickiness but I'm improving after a few weeks.  It's related to yeast/fungal overgrowth.  There are many treatment options.  Lower stress, medicated shampoos, probiotics, lower sugar/carb intake, etc. Lots of sites offer guidance, choose one that's reputable.   I'm so sorry this has been such a nightmare for so many.  Please be kind to yourselves and work out a treatment plan.  It won't improve over night, but you can get this under control.  Don't go into overdrive with treatment, that causes it's own stress and over treatment can lead to additional skin problems.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One last thing to those on the "It's a mental illness" answer. Please explain a couple of my symtem symptoms. Ice cold almost freezing at the ends of my fingers and toes during some bad attacks. Patches of skin coming off, about the size of a dime, on my back in places I can't reach to pick at (psychiatrist said these are not consistent with known psychosis as it's physically impossible to pick where you can't reach) and eye testing where during a period of baf attacks my sight went down over 30%. Particles some times cover or get in eyes causing pain and bluring of vision. I wish it was something the shrink could have treated. Give me an anti-depressant put me on a couch and talk about my mom. No problem. I'd take that any day to get rid of this. P. S. His original diagnosis was Phantasmagoria (all in my inagination) or some skin picking disorder. I thank this man for onserving and testing me. And then admitting he could not help. It was most likely an organic problem, allergy or very likely an autoimmune disorder of the rheumatoid variety. The immune system attacking the body. The he said "look as doctors sometimes we think wr are so smart if we can't figure it out then YOU must be nuts". Running out of money and patience. Hope we all figure this out soon.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have many of the same symptoms as all of you and maybe a few different. You all are giving me a bit of hope. At least I'm not alone. Same sticky. People at work who think I'm nuts will ask who has been eating candy and using the phone. It's all sticky. I kinda get a laugh because of course I use the phone. Mine started over a year ago. Noticed on hands then spread everywhere. Hate it going in the mouth. This has just about ruined my employment. I'm in sales and when you are constantly distracted, sticky, in pain, exhausted, have breathing issues and picking string like crap out of your eyes it doesn't make a good impression. In a year I've gone from top 20% in tbe company (500 sales people) to literally #495. For those who call this a mental disease that not only is wrong but a bit irresponsible. Shoot, being gay was considered mental illness until the 1970's. Dermatologists say exema. Tried cortisone based lotion & medication. Would not run skin tests. Allergist? Nothing. Asked about mold. They said ofhers living in my home or working at my office would have some symptoms. None do.from what I have read here .y best bet is to smear on a bunch of Neutrogena then eat a bunch of natural yogurt while on the bus going tl the acupuncturist. Please don't stop posting. Inam desparate. Doctors couldn't care less. The only ones who believe me are my wife and a physicians assistant at my G. P. Office. The psychiatrist was at least honest. He said nothing manifests as any mental illness or psychosis. No history in your family. At being 55 years old other symptoms would have manifest prior. God Bless all of you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
struggling through the same thing..please let us know Presdidigitatious!! good luck!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I recently started having sticky skin, first on scalp and groin area and then elbow bends, behind knees, underarms, bra line, face, eyelids... Okay, so it is really uncomfortable and frankly a bit scary. I thought it might never go away. Here is what I discovered and what is working!  I believe it is somehow a microbial imbalance, causing yeast overgrowth either on my skin or coming from my sweat glands. What is working is Dial soap (antibacterial), clean washcloth and clean towel with each shower, dry off completely, apply anti-fungal powder (over the counter at CVS)  to the sticky areas 2 times a day (on the worst days, I used it 3X). I even put it lightly on my face avoiding my eyes. I also became more regimented about taking probiotics ( a good one with 13 million +). The combination is working!!  I have used the powder for only 5 days and will continue for 2 weeks after the sticky is all gone.
Also worth noting is that I see a world renowned Environmental Medicine Doc.. I called his office and they had never heard of this sticky skin syndrome and they are the place where all of the unsolvable questions end up. I plan on sharing my solution when I see him next.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Hello, I've been experiencing the same issues and a few other including dry skin since Dec. Of 2015. Has your regimen worked for you completely or are you still having issues?
Did ur solution work?? Please email me ***@****
Avatar universal
I have this as well, and I just past my 1 year anniversary since it came to my attention while I was trying to figure out why my hair had not grown more than 3" in 3 YEARS. The only other thing I can add to the list is that I have taken Hydrocortisone every day since I experienced complete
Adrenal Failure - or Addison's Disease in Oct. 1998. As the "Oldest Living Cortisone-taker" in the world, I have come to expect all kinds of physical injustices popping up with no known name, much less cure.  I'm watching a couple sites and I will add anything I gather that might be relevant to this forum.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I also have had my hair growing quite quickly in a rapid amount growth .   Along with the sticky tacky substance in mine has black brown in my lymphatic system also was affected with swelling in the tissues .. mine all started when I was exposed to toxic mycotoxins from toxic mold and chemicals ...

I too have taken adrenal supplements ..
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