Infection in my fingers, speading onto finger tips of my left hand

I have had a skin problem on my right hand fingers for about 5-6 months now.  I have been to the doctors a few times but it is still there.  My hands were previously fine for healing but for some reason after getting my fingers cut open in the filing room at work my hands have never been the same.  Does anyone have any idea what this is?  i go to see a dermotologist and it seems as though they are guessing and giving me creams.  As they don't really know what it is they have suggested that the next option would be to get tests done for 3 days within a week to see if I am allergic to anything but I am trying to avoid taking more time off work with this especially if they don't find out what it is.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Please elborate on the symptoms so that a list of diffreentials can be made. Regards.

[debh09]

My hands are slightly sore when I bend my finger,  They get quite dry.  They also get slightly itchy every so often but my hands have still not healed yet.  It originally started off with jsut my 3 fingers on my right hand but is now on four finger and starting to spread on my fumb and on my left hand finger.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Thanks for the clarification. From your symptoms it looks like 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). 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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.