:: non-itchy painful red dots on fingers :: please help

Hello.

I am a female, mid-twenties, graphic designer. For the last year, I have been getting little red bumps around my fingers on my right hand. The first time this happened there was minimal pain, one outbreak & about two or three bumps. They only lasted a week or so. 6 weeks ago it happened again but more severally. I have had three bumps pop up right next to one another on my upper middle finger knuckle, two or three on the same spot on my ring finger and two on the tops of my ring finger & pinky. And more that have popped up. These ones have been more painful & have lasted longer. They also keep appearing. It is odd to me that they have not gone to my thumb or left hand. The only activities i do with my right hand (& not left) are shifting the stick on my car, the mouse of my computer, plucking the stings of my guitar & the use of pens & pencils.

Any advice, remedies or suggestions are welcomed. Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These red dots which are painful can be due to friction, myxoid cyst or herpes blisters causing herpetic whitlow. The other possibilities are pompholyx or osler’s node. Osler’s nodes are painful, red, raised lesions on the palms and soles. They are associated with a number of conditions, including infective endocarditis. Herpetic whitlow is caused by HSV infection nd presents as painful nodules on the fingers. Pompholyx is also called dyshidrotic eczema and presents as itchy, small painful blisters on palms and fingers.

I would suggest a dermatologist’s and physician’s evaluation for the same.
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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.