Blisters on 3 year olds hands and feet

[countrygirl88]

my 3 year old daughter had some weird blisters show up on her feet in Jan. 2006.  They started out as red dots under the skin.  Then they came to surface and grew rapidly going threw different stages.  They become filed with fluid sometimes swollen around them.  Then they get dry and peel layers of skin off.  Sometimes they crack open and bleed.  One even got so infected that her toe was 4 times a big as it should had been and the foot doctor had to lance it open and there were red streaks going up her foot.  It took about 2 months for them to go away.  Now they are back on her hands this time.  About 10 of them between her two hands.  She had about 7 or 8 on her feet when it occured.  They are sore and they get swollen.  Hard to the touch and makes her skin peel badly.  I have been to 4 differnt doctors.  2 Ped. doctors 1 foot specialist and now a dermotalogist.  they are not sure of what they are.  Tested for bacteria but results were neg.  No word yet on fugual or virual tests.  Any help in this matter would be great.  Not only do tey hurt her but they look terrible.  thanks

[cluelesss]

maybe lymphangitis but what do i know. . .  see http://www.telemedicine.org/3assess.htm

[Djane]

My son had this, check in the mouth for ulcers. He was diagnosed with hand foot and mouth disease. And I thought only cows got that!!!  It is a virus and should clear up on its own.  I think!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm afraid I can't say a great deal from here.  It sounds like an unusual case. Eczema can cause blisters on the hands and feet, but that wouldn't explain the soreness, or the swelling and red streaks (unless that was a separate matter, perhaps a bacterial infection on top of the eczema.)  It may be that time will clarify the matter.  Sorry I can't add much.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff