SWELLING AND BURNING IN HANDS AND FEET

[sparespate]

My daughter is 7 years old.Her hands and feet swell up and they burn her she says. We notice it happens in the sun. But the thing is, it does not happen everytime in the sun. She has been around water most of the time this has happen but it has been both fresh and salt. I was thinking this weekend if maybe it is when the UV rays are high, because liek I said It does not happen everytime. Please someone if you have had this happen to you help me ! Thanks.

[amandarr]

I too have been feeling the same symptoms of burning and some random swelling in my hands for a couple of weeks now. And I have noticed that it is when I am around my sink doing something water related. If your daughter and I are having the same symptoms it is very annoying and painful. I have also noticed an increased sensitivity to temperature changes with my hands. If you find out anything please let me know, and I will do the same for you.

[tinamarie76]

This happens to me if I am using cleaning products and get them on my hands.  My feet are badly affected after walking on a damp mopped floor  (with pine sol or murphy's oil)  And last but not least bleach.  I can't wash my whites with bleach or my feet will swell and burn, in fact it will hurt to walk too.  Hope this helps.  Maybe the chlorine is affecting her skin.

[sparespate]

Thanks to all your comments. I just need any help I can get. I am taking her to the Dr. so if I find out any thing I will let you know. And please do the same.

[mcough2]

I am a college student, and I started having that problem 4 years ago. I went to the several doctors, and none of them could tell me what was wrong. After about a year of my hands and feet swelling up other parts of my body started swelling up. The only thing that has stopped it from happening is when I take zyrtec ans cingular daily. If you recieve any answers from your doctor I would love to hear them

[Ellyni]

I've had the same problem for as long as I can remember. It took a really long time for me to figure out what triggers it and what I need to avoid. Normally I get those symptoms when I'm cleaning. I believe certain types of dust and or chemicals cause the allergy. If I'm out shopping, especially for jeans, I get those symptoms. The other day it happened to me when I was sanding some drywall in my home. Usually what helps for me is if I wash my hands with cold water and soap until they feel better and then immediately place my hands above my head until the symptoms have stopped completely. (I don't even bother to dry them unless there is a paper towel near by. Dirt and dust from hand towels tend to agitate it even more) It usually only takes a few moments. It has happened with my feet before, but not as much since i'm normally walking about with socks and shoes. I do get the symptoms on my feet when i'm in the shower after it's been cleaned recently. When  it happens, I usually get out of the shower immediately and lay down and elevate my feet.

[laurrelle]

Please tell me if your hands are swollen mostly in the fingers and if your feet are swollen around the bunion area?  I thought this was from sugar and wine but I haven't had any alcohol in weeks and my hands/feet are swollen again.  I have been cleaning and working a lot with my hands but certainly not my feet!

[melly03]

My Daughter of 10 has just started these symptoms but they refuse to do an allergy test. This really sounds like an allergy that is more common than i thought.
It is very annoying . Clarantyne is the only thing helping her at the moment. Would gladly like to hear any other suggestions.

[juna78]

I have had this same problem about 3 times in my life.Every time it gets worse.The first time I was about 5. I ate honey dew mellon and the palms of my hands and the bottom of my feet turned red itched and burned like fire.I eat honey dew mellon now and nothing happenes.The seconed time was 2000.I went to the ER and all they would tell me was that i had athletesfeet on my hands and feet,I think they were crazy because I had no open sores they just itched and burned and swollen up.I took Benadryl for 7 days and it just went away.This last time was July 14.The top part of my hand from my knuckles to my fingertips were red itching burning,the palms of my hands the same from my wrist to my fingertips.My feet from my ankle to my toes top and bottom and red rash under the skin itching burning and swollen and red rash under the skin on my knees.And for some reason my middle knuckles in my fingers hurt.The doc. tested for all kinds of blood and urine stuff found nothing except low potassium.He was worried it was RA,but every test came back good.He put me on Steroid and Benadryl for 10 days.Now I am back to norm.He still do`nt know what it is.He just says its some kind of allergy

[mlsaw]

I was going to call it a night regarding all my posts, but when I saw this about the children I had to write one more. If nothing is found in testing, Please type in Erythromelalgia. They have found the mutated gene which is the cause of it running in families. Many children have it and it is well, just read. Go to YAhoo and join the 2 groups. they have all the info about Yale and research going on. Sharing with those other parents will make you feel not so alone. We adults who have it feel that way because all our drs. aren't familiar with it. I looked for help 12 years.There are 2 types yet pretty much the same. it's just one is inherited.
And please take pictures and then print the info. Take it to your doctors. If they shrug you off keep going til you find a doctor who wants to learn and be a part of your treatment. That is all there is now. No cure but some meds help some..HOpe this helps.

[okaysay]

Hi I am 41 years old I have this burning on my hands and feet also on some parts of my leg and arm muscles. I have swollen legs and feet at night wich disturbs me terribly and making me feel tired all the time.
I am embarressed with my burning hands when shaking hand.
This has been going on since around 2,5 months now.

I have gone trough some basic tests in hospital which all came out normal. Liver enzyms are normal TSH tests are normal and also the urine tests and the blood infection tests are normal. What can it be?? do you think.
Can that be a virus infection of some type?

[Liddie]

I have similar symptoms and have linked it to temperature change.  When my hands are cold and then become warm, they swell and turn red.  It sounds like Raynaud's Syndrome but I've never been diagnosed.

[ErinDeeAnn]

I have maybe two simular things that happened this last weekend. I changed laundry detergent (Tide with bleach alternative) and I layed out bar footed in the sun. My feet started burning Sunday evening (today is Monday) after I put on clothing that was just washed the day before. I have large red areas not near my toes but in the arch they almost look like  blisters a little swolen but no fluid as far as I can tell. These areas burn and hurt, any thoughts would be appriciated.

[Gemstone714]

Hi, I'm 24 and have exactly the same symptoms as your daughter and mine too started around the same age. It's very frustrating, it's hard to explain the painful sensation to others, and they rarely believe you unless you have swollen hands and or feet. In the last couple of years I have noticed it's started to affect my nose and forehead too. I also have some tiny blisters that appear after the reaction, my hands and feet become extremely itchy, but it can really hurt if I scratch too hard and feel like they're on fire. I also cannot sleep with the pain, water cools them down for 10 mins but after the heat feels more intense.
I too don't always have the reaction, 1 year nothing happened so I decided to go to work in Greece, within a week I was in hospital with this reaction because may hands were so swollen they went purple and numb, and also started to travel up my arm.
My doctor too wont do an allergy test as he is convinced it's a sun allergy and apparently that cant be tested. Please let me know what your doctors say as this reaction is affecting my quality of life.

[navsz21]

hi. im 15 yrs old. recently i have got swelling on the palms of my hands and feet. the swelling on my palms looks as if i got bit by a thousand mosquito bites. at first, i thought that. But, when i visited the doctor, he had told me i had allergies. this happened for the first time in my life. please help me regarding this matter. THANKYOU.

[Scotty_Rotton]

I have similar symptoms to this. I get swelling in different parts of my body. Feet, Hands, Tongue,  I went to an allergy doctor and she wanted me to wash everything and make my dog live somewhere else. I know that wasn't going to happen.

Then I mentioned it to another doctor and he said "Food Allergies" He took some blood and sent it to a lab in california about a week later they had a list of things I was allergic to. most of my food was on the list.

They also (for an additional cost) checked for Environmental allergy's. Dog & Cat hair, Detergents, Dust, Grass, and a bunch of other things.

Eggs, Wheat, Milk, Pineapple, and about 50 other things in various severity's. I was eating 2 dozen eggs a week at that time.

Now I watch what I eat and it happens much less. Clairitin helps some but I think it raises my blood pressure. Benadryl makes it go away over night.

I personally think it was caused by Clairitin, I never had this until after I used Clairitin for nasal allergy relief but when I quit I started having food allergies.  

I have heard of different treatments, Hypnosis, (didn't work for me) acclamation, (Where they stick some of what your allergic to under your skin and leave it till your not allergic to it)    

[shaz21]

I have some of same symptoms. On my fingers, the palms of my hands, the bottoms of my feet, and my ankles. I get these bright purple circles (under the skin only) and they itch like crazy. Them my hands get really hot and I cannot move my fingers. My feet ache all of the time when this happens. I've been to the dr. who sent me to a dermatologist, and he has no clue what it is... he put me on a rx allergy med and some cortisone cream. that worked for about 3 days. then another dr gave me 6 days of prednisone which helped for 4 days. I've not changed detergents or done anything different in 9 months but it this is the second time this has happened to me... however, it has lasted for 2 months now. I itch so incredibly bad that I'm drawing blood when I scratch and my skin is raw and the burning and the pain is horrible... I have not been to an allergy dr yet because I don't believe its allergies... I'm thinking it might be something with my nerves. I just wish I could find a dr who knew what it was. This is really starting to effect my life in many different ways. I don't sleep, I don't exercise, I'm just really frustrated

[miandra]

My dad has had this problem for nearly 25 years now and dr.'s have yet to figure out what is causing it. He brakes out in rash all over his feet when it gets hot outside and is not wearing any socks. Then his feet and ankles swell and hurt and burn. Last year one of the dr.'s did a strep test and it came back positive, but I think that wasn't the only cause of it. He got the swelling again this summer, but the test is negative. Dr. prescribed a round of antibiotics just to be safe again. I sure would like to know what the heck is causing this and will keep on reading if anyone has answers. I recently met another guy that has the same problem and his feet swell up as soon as he takes of his socks and puts on sandals. He claims that his is caused by his feet touching the sand. My dad thinks its the combination of sun and water that causes his reaction.

[mama020406]

My 7 year old is having the same problem, it's only happend on camping trips or when spending a lot of time outside in the sun. Only happens during nice weather and only her hands and feet swell. She says they feel like they are on fire and she is always wanting to spray water on them or put ice packs on them. Once it happens it takes up to 2 days of being out of the sun and in doors for it to go away, she cries and begs me to find out why it's happening and taking antihistamins doesn't seem to get rid of it. I'm almost thinking she is allergic to the darn sun! It happened today at a local block party, she was pouring water on her feet and begging to get out of the sun so we had to leave! I don't think most of these other symptoms though! Anyone who has had a diagnosis that could share it with us would be wonderful!

[chamby]

I have the tingling in the palms of my hands, but only after I eat Greek food. I sure wish I knew what I was reacting to.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, swelling of hands and feet is an uncommon symptom in case of any swelling. Hence, proper evaluation of the swelling is required. Firstly, allergy can be possible but such swelling is quite uncommon. Burning pain can be seen due to compartmental syndrome i.e. due to high pressure in the limbs will entrap the nerves and can cause burning sensation. Even deficiency of vitamin B12 can also cause such symptoms. It can be seen in patients with atopic or allergic dermatitis. It is usually seen secondary to exposure to allergen and subsequent reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies. Hence, elevated serum IgE levels can indicate allergy.

The other reasons for swelling have to be ruled out, which includes hypoproteinemia (less total protein in the blood), Cardiac malfunction, Kidney impairment, and Liver disease or else Drug induced. Hence, she needs to get her blood (IgE levls, albumin, and Vitamin B12 levels), kidney and liver function tests with ECG to evaluate and rule out the cause. I suggest you to consult a pediatrician. Take care and regards.

[Ash31287]

Hello my daughter was having the same problems so i took her to a Dermatologists and was tested through blood and urine and he found that she has a disease called Erythropoiet  Protopophyria also known as Epp. Good luck

[Susandh2]

I am 46yrs old. I have weighed no more then 125lbs all my life until last February 2010 I started to gain weight & my diet or food intake hadn't changed. Infact, I eat much much less now. Also, I have a shortness in breathe & low blood pressure. & I noticed swelling in both my ankles & feet. I tried ice & elevating them above my heart but no change. Two days later, I  went to the ER. I was admitted immediately & I was in hospital for 1 wk. My feet were elevated the entire time but there was no change. I was put on 2 IV's...1 was an anti-biotic. I was given a shot in my stomach every morning with blood thinner & 3 tubes of blood taken from my arm every moring as well. While being released I asked the Docor what the conclusion was. He said that he  DID NOT FIND the cause. However, I am NOT DIABETIC, DO NOT HAVE GOUT, A BLOOD CLOT, CELLULITIS & NO INFECTION OF ANY SORT. My HEART, LIVER, KIDNEYS & THYROID are FINE. & my SUGAR & CHLORESTRAL LEVELS are FINE.  I have now gained approx 50lbs in the last year & I barely eat. I do drink plenty of bottled water & low salt intake. I sleep with my feet elevated & have for a year now with no change.  I have not been able to wear any kind of shoes, not even bedroom slippers. I have severe water retention in both my feet & ankles. & lately up to my knees as well. @ this very moment my feet & ankles are so beet red, they look sunburned & a painful burning sensation. The tops of my feet are tender & raw. I have been soaking them in cool water with baby oil so they wont get dry & crack. I have asked my Church to Pray for Healing & one of the Ladies there suggested I mix Trumeric Spice with Water & drink it several times a day. I have been doing this & it does seem to help a bit. She said it will take a few days.  
Any more advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,
Susandh2

[so_its_notjustme]

I am 42 now and have probably suffered since about the age of 6 or 7.the first time it effected me was on a hot day at the swimming pool. My feet were on fire and nothing would help I was screaming with the pain, I was putting my feet in the water for brief relief but then the burning would just come back more fierce. My parents had no choice but to abandon the family day out and get me home. I have since had episodes of this nearly every year of my life since, but mainly on my hands. My hands would suffer the same burning and itching sensation after only a few hours of exposure to the sun they would then swell up and would be very itchy. My hands at this time would be very sensitive to temperature, What I mean is that if I put my hands in warm water the temperature would feel exaggerated and the water would feel very hot likewise direct sun light would immediately feel like it was burning .In the earlier years we also believed it was a mix of sun and water that brought it on. For those of you who have young children that suffer with this, i really feel for you because I know how frustrating it can be for you because my parents actually used to get angry with me because it would ruin many a day out with the family. But please understand this, when your child is screaming and panicking with this they are not exaggerating! I too have had many tests and the odd half baked diagnosis but it still remains a mystery to me. I used to have to go to bed with a bowl of water to put my hands in and out of until I could eventually sleep. And as others have said after a few days out of the sun it would start to go and then sometimes after suffering at the beginning I would seem to be able to put up with more exposure for the rest of the summer. I am afraid I can't offer much advice on treatment but what I would say is that cooling my hands in water when it first hits me is the only immediate relief but obviously getting out of the sun immediately and getting into a cool place can be as good as finding Heaven on Earth! I really hope that the medical world has moved on and you all find your answers because after over 30 years I haven't and thought it was just me! Good luck :-).  

[so_its_notjustme]

I am 42 now and have probably suffered since about the age of 6 or 7.the first time it effected me was on a hot day at the swimming pool. My feet were on fire and nothing would help I was screaming with the pain, I was putting my feet in the water for brief relief but then the burning would just come back more fierce. My parents had no choice but to abandon the family day out and get me home. I have since had episodes of this nearly every year of my life since, but mainly on my hands. My hands would suffer the same burning and itching sensation after only a few hours of exposure to the sun they would then swell up and would be very itchy. My hands at this time would be very sensitive to temperature, What I mean is that if I put my hands in warm water the temperature would feel exaggerated and the water would feel very hot likewise direct sun light would immediately feel like it was burning .In the earlier years we also believed it was a mix of sun and water that brought it on. For those of you who have young children that suffer with this, i really feel for you because I know how frustrating it can be for you because my parents actually used to get angry with me because it would ruin many a day out with the family. But please understand this, when your child is screaming and panicking with this they are not exaggerating! I too have had many tests and the odd half baked diagnosis but it still remains a mystery to me. I used to have to go to bed with a bowl of water to put my hands in and out of until I could eventually sleep. And as others have said after a few days out of the sun it would start to go and then sometimes after suffering at the beginning I would seem to be able to put up with more exposure for the rest of the summer. I am afraid I can't offer much advice on treatment but what I would say is that cooling my hands in water when it first hits me is the only immediate relief but obviously getting out of the sun immediately and getting into a cool place can be as good as finding Heaven on Earth! I really hope that the medical world has moved on and you all find your answers because after over 30 years I haven't and thought it was just me! Good luck :-).