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Itchy Bumps on Hands and Feet

About a week ago a really itchy bump showed up on my foot. My left foot is perpetually dry because of a past surgery I had on my back... and ever since then it doesnt sweat. It was so intense I scratched it until it broke and clear liquid came out. I found a blister to be a strange concept on sucha dry foot I traditionally have to lotion frequently. As the days went on tiny bumps and itches perplexed around this scabbed blister on the side of my foot. I began to diligently clean it with peroxide.

At first I contemplating the theory of it being a fungus like athletes foot, especially since Id been using communial matts at yoga... however it didnt seem feesable on sucha dry foot.

A couple days later I noticed small pin needle sized blisters that itched on my palms of my hands and fingers... some single... some in clusters... (this image is not of my finger but it looks just like the itchy blisters on my palms and fingers)... http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/Lilangelwings/stuff/IMG_1880.jpg

I am very frustrated bc I am a poor college student and Im not even sure if I have the money to go to a doc, but I cant let this get worse. It's very stressful.

Any help?
Thanks
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Avatar universal
Symptoms of Dyshidrotic Eczema

The characteristic blisters of this condition are:

Small, similar to grains of tapioca
Filled with clear fluid
In clusters between your fingers and toes or on the edges of your fingers, toes, palms, or soles
Very itchy and sometimes painful
The blisters usually dry and peel in about three weeks. The skin beneath them may be scaly, red, cracked, and painful.

Causes

The cause of dyshidotric eczema is unknown, but more than one factor is likely involved.

It may occur along with atopic dermatitis or hay fever, flaring seasonally along with any allergies you may have.

About 40 percent of people with this skin condition are also troubled with hands or feet that perspire heavily.

Dyshidrotic eczema is more likely to occur if you:

Are under stress
Have atopic dermatitis
Have sensitive skin in general
Have allergies, including hay fever
Wash your hands frequently or your hands are often in water
Work with cement
Expose your hands to metals, such as chromium, cobalt, or nickel
Receive intravenous immunoglobulin infusions to treat another medical condition
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Voila.. Not VIOLA lol.
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I've had this issue for a few years now since 2008(ish) and the one thing that really helped with itch relief was putting my hands under running hot water, then under cool/cold water. The hot water should be at a barable temperature(enough to feel the relief, if not satisfied turn slightly hotter), hold under and massage till you feel like a million bucks! Then a quick blast of cold water to seal the pores. Viola, hope it helps you like it helps me!
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You guys should really put the current ones at the top, for the longest time since 2011 I've had red bumps then turned white itches but never burs-ted. well now from 2011 to 2016 i have bumps on my feet invisible bumps turns into blood when popped open, i was told by my roommate even at night when my sleep meds have me out cold i still itch. its spreed-ed worse this year itches badly. my doctor gave me a dermatologist but its so far away and the only one in the valley my insurance will pay for :( this itch has gotten worse since December 2015 and now is January 2016. at first when stayed at a friends we thought it was his bed sheets. changed laundry from crystals to regular and days later still itched. then when i got home from California it spreed-ed got worse and for a period of time it was even on my forehead still on my legs (itch) I've tried lotion that my dr prescribed for allergy cream it helps for a few hours then wakes me in the middle of the night., on regular basis i get maybe 4 hrs of sleep. Since I've been back in Arizona its gotten worse itches more, and keeps me from sleeping at times. there are periods of times were i go 2-3 days of no sleep because the itch is un bearable
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I have lots of small blister like spots on my left foot and has spread to my left hand on my palm and between my fingers  the itch is terrible  I have been to the doctors twice and they gave me aveeno  its getting worse and I need to take antihistimines. what can this be?
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Avatar universal
It is psoriasis. My dad has had it on his hand for about 2 years now. His friend made him some lotion that he puts on his psoriasis that seems to help. It mainly consists of shea butter witch is highly water resistant. Psoriasis is usually set off by water so my dad wears gloves when he does the dishes. I reccomend getting some shea butter and putting it onto the psoriasis and see if that helps. Try to avoid water where the psoriasis is and see a professional dermatologist.  It is NOT contagious. My mom and I have held my dad's hands and never gotten it.Also, try not to scratch or pick at it, that can make it worse... I hope this helps you! :)
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Avatar universal
It is psoriasis. My dad has had it on his hand for about 2 years now. His friend made him some lotion that he puts on his psoriasis that seems to help. It mainly consists of shea butter witch is highly water resistant. Psoriasis is usually set off by water so my dad wears gloves when he does the dishes. I reccomend getting some shea butter and putting it onto the psoriasis and see if that helps. Try to avoid water where the psoriasis is and see a professional dermatologist.  It is NOT contagious. My mom and I have held my dad's hands and never gotten it.Also, try not to scratch or pick at it, that can make it worse... I hope this helps you! :)
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Avatar universal
I get it too. But only ever on one finger. Always the same finger. The first time it happened the blisters popped, and let me tell you, it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced ever. I went to numerous doctors and specialists and every one of them had a different explanation for it (genetic, viral, bacterial, stress-related, hormonal) that didn't seem to pan out. I was given numerous intravenous drugs for it in the hospital and nothing helped. It eventually healed on its own, but still comes back every 6-7 months or so. I accidentally found a way around the popped blisters and the pain - acetone. I was taking off nail polish and the acetone dried out the blisters before they got big enough to pop, and it went away a lot faster than it had before. Now every time I feel it coming i just do a quick swipe of nail polish remover and it's gone the next day. Although it doesn't really help for the blisters under my fingernail. Those hurt! But because of the placement, they never really evolve into anything problematic.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I have had this problem for 25 years+...
I can tell you a fix, Use a pin and gently puncture the white clear part and let the fluid out. Stops the itching and goes away straight away, bumps go away by the next day. Don't scratch, Don't get hot. Humidity sets it off, and what ever your allergic to, some foods or additives do it. A fan helps. My Doctor found a name for this and Sorry can't remember but it was ridiculously long from a VERY old book 25 years ago and explained it perfectly, 1 in a hundred people get this!. He said the only way to get rid of it is to get a test to find out what I am allergic to and stop eating that. But that was years ago and did not feel like doing the test to find out what I was allergic to. Funny that a  Pin works well (quick n cheap) and you get sleep. Hope this helps someone, I found out the hard way after a few years of creams-Money and Doctors. If its a really humid and hot night have a cold shower and pop all bumps, you can feel them with your fingers easy. And heat the pin up with a flame of some sort to sterilize.
Btw Don't go to deep, and don't blame me if you get infected, I don't get infections after all this time. Be carful.
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Avatar universal
After 2 and ½ years of trying to find a solution, I have found what works for me that resulted in a 90% improvement.  It’s not 100% gone, but the relief is invaluable.  It’s been 7 months since my skin improved.  I’m hoping I can help someone else.  
I posted here about a year ago.  I had the incredibly itchy bumps on my hands.  I had 3 different types – most of them were tiny blister like bumps filled with water, others were tiny raised dry scabby-like bumps, and others were just raised bumps and would thicken and darken my skin.  Some would appear in raised clumps, others would be in strangely straight lines.  They would itch around the clock.  The itching was so bad that it was difficult to even think of anything else.  The itching would make it difficult for me to fall asleep, and when I would fall asleep, I’d wake up in the middle of most nights scratching.  I’d wake up with bloody hands and fingernails.  The bumps kept multiplying and it seemed to be “killing” my tissue.  My fingernails were coming off their beds, the nails had deep grooves or ridges on them, and parts of my fingertips seemed to become almost transparent as the blistery tissue was taking over.  This really scared me, because I thought that if this is happening in my hands, I wonder if it’s happening in other parts of my body that I can’t see.  The whole situation really scared me and made me feel hopeless.  It consumed so much of my life.  
I tried everything – many trips to the dermatologists (plural), lots of topical steroid creams, prescription oral steroids, slippery elm and other natural products intended to heal “leaky gut”, natural remedies for candidiasis, soaking my hands in vinegar, bandaids, antifungal sprays, Neosporin, burning the bumps, etc.  Some of these, I tried for months on end to see if there were any results.  The oral steroids would work while I was on them, then the bumps would come back.  I lost tons of sleep combing the internet looking for solutions.  I’ll list what worked for me.  As a warning, the changes I made were a lot of effort – but the relief is so worth it.  Here they are in the order of significance:  
1) start eating a highly nutritious diet
2) stop eating meat
3) reduce external allergens and taking allergy medicine
4)  topical steroids *
5)  vitamins
1 & 2:  High nutrition and no meat:  By far, this is the change that yielded the most improvement.  I cannot stress this enough.   I had watched documentaries “Forks Over Knives” and “The ****** Miracle”.  These documentaries focus on high nutrition and basically conclude that the body will tend to naturally heal itself - IF it is healthy enough to do so.  We just need to provide the body with sufficient nutrients and minerals to do the job.  The thing is I thought I was perfectly healthy (other than eczema my entire life).  I’m 38 years old, 5’2”, 130 lbs, and very active.  I’m a cyclist who regularly rides centuries (100-mile rides).  But in truth, my diet was not the best.  Based on one of labs performed by my doctor, he realized that I was slightly “acidic”.  My pH balance was off.  I started reading a lot about acidity vs. alkalinity.  We need the correct balance to be healthy.  Acidic environments tend to harbor sickness and disease.  My doctor recommended that I start increasing my vegetable intake significantly.  He recommended “powdered greens” from Whole Foods if I didn’t like eating vegetables.  As a result of all of the documentaries and the acidic findings, I decided to cut out meat and dairy (which is highly acidic) and start eating more fruits and vegetables.  I bought a NutriBullet and started making fruit and vegetable smoothies daily for breakfast.  I bought a juicer and started making a carrot or spinach juice once a day.  I started eating lots of salads.  Surprisingly, after a couple weeks, I started seeing the bumps suddenly subside.  I was skeptical at first, wondering if I was imagining that my hands were improving.  But by week 3, there was no doubt.  The bumps were disappearing.  (“Forks Over Knives” and “the ****** Miracle” can be found on Netflix.  If you don’t have Netflix, “the ****** Miracle” can be viewed online http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/******-miracle/  ).
3 – External allergens and allergy medicine.  My doctor prescribed me allergy medicines.  He knew I had allergies to many environmental things – pollen, animals, etc.  My doctor said that if my system is “inflamed” and busy fighting other problems, then it has less ability to fight other things.  He told me to take the antihistamines during the allergy seasons just to give my body an edge.  The medicines visibly worked because when I would forget to take them, I noticed my hands would get worse.  Also, on a sad note, my beloved little bichon dog that I had for 14 years passed away.  My doctor had told me for years that I was allergic to my dog, but I didn’t believe him because I never had allergic reactions to this type of dog like I would with other dogs.  So I wasn’t convinced.  Also, I had my dog for the first 12 years without any skin issues on my hands.  So I refused to believe I was allergic to him.  My hands developed this problem 12 years after adopting him.  However, I started noticing that when I went away for business trips, my hands would begin improving.  After my sweet dog passed away, I noticed another sudden improvement.  The external allergy and skin theory was making sense.  
* 4 – Topical steroid creams.  Like I mentioned above, I repeatedly tried topical steroids for 2 and ½ years and they yielded absolutely no results.  I mean ABSOLUTELY NONE.  I had prescriptions for triamcinalone, cortisones, and what the dermatologist told me was their strongest – clobetasol.  However, as I mentioned, after I stopped eating meat and starting eating highly nutritious foods, my hands began to improve.  I decided to try the clobetasol again in real problem areas.  My hands visibly responded to the cream.  I think that before my diet change, my body was too sick to heal at all.  After I improved my nutrition, I think my body was able to start healing.  After it was healthy enough to begin the healing process, it was able to respond to the topical steroid creams and further heal with these medicines.
5 – Vitamin C helps the skin.  I take a high dose of Vitamin C every day.  I also take Milk Thistle and Zinc.  I think this helps me with my overall health.  
For incredible itching, what helped me the most was 3) ice cubes to numb it up the itch, 2) Mario Badescu Control cream, and mostly 3) mediation.  The meditation was the only thing that I found that was able to get me to stop scratching overnight.  After starting the meditation, I was able to sleep through the night and wake up without blood under my fingernails.  The meditation was a body-mind disassociation mind exercise.  
Hope this helps someone else.
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Avatar universal
By the way, this started when I was a sophomore in high school. Sure I've been to Disney World and Mexico before then, but it started several years later and I've never left the country after that. I haven't been keeping track of when it comes and goes, but apparently, it does so when it wants to. However, I have had ringworm before. Could this be another form of it? :/ All I know is that I want it to go away. I don't know if it's contagious and I don't want to give this nightmare to anyone else. I'm afraid to get close to people because of it and I'm also afraid that another big blister is going to form and then I'll have to go through all that hell again.
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Avatar universal
After 7 seven years of having this...whatever it is, I just now decide to look up to see if there has been anyone else who's been having the same problem as me. It could be because I just had another breakout myself and I am amazed at how fast it formed. Although, it's only on my pinky and a couple tiny ones on my middle finger and right foot. It all started on my left foot and it was just one big blister. Of course it hurt and itched so I had to get rid of it. As soon as I did, a whole bunch of them started popping up, causing my skin to dry and crack. I went to a dermatologist and they didn't know what it was. They even took samples and came up with some long name for it, but as far as I was concerned, they had no clue since they didn't explain any further on it. After putting corisone cream and ointment on it for a couple years, I realized that the stuff wasn't working at all. Everytime I got rid of one blister, ten more showed up and after i got rid of the ones there, it would itch and hurt like no other. So finally, i stopped using the cream, i stopped getting rid of the blisters, and i stopped wearing the bandages. Then...it just went away. I guess if you dry them out and don't mess with them, they eventually go away. However, they don't always stay gone. I don't know if it's another form of shingles or a fungus or bacteria or whatever, but all I know is it's been seven years. Has anyone come up with a cure yet? If not then how about any clue as to what it is?
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Avatar universal
I know exactly what all of you are going through! My two boys cam home from their grandmothers house with little red bumps that some looked like blisters and they itched and hurt him if he even walked on them. My second child had gotten a few on his hands and feet as well I took them both to the Emergency room because I was lost of what they were. Well it is a hand, foot, and mouth virus. There is nothing you can do for it except leave it alone and don't scratch it! It is very contagious to kids mainly most adults don't get it because it is like the chicken pox once you get it and it goes away you cant get it again. I have three boys and only two of mine have got it so I have made them keep their feet covered by socks and not to scratch or mess with the bumps on their hands. This had made it go away it started on a Friday with a low grade fever which is normal the doctor said with one little red bump, and by that Sunday my oldest feet and hand were covered. I took them to the ER on a Monday and they have had to stay out of school until it is gone and today is Wednesday and it is about gone off both of them so tomorrow they actually get to go back to school. It is not SCABIES!!!! just a virus and you have to let it run its course like any other virus so don't worry just leave it alone and take Benadryl for the itching and it will go away it can take up to two weeks though so be patient!!!!
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Avatar universal
Im a dermatologist

I can tell you with quiet certainty that you have scabies. Visit your doctor immediately to receive 5% Permethrin Cream, and no you cannot get it over the counter…

Ive seen cases like that a thousand time. If you dont visit the doctor Other symptoms may include: general itchiness around, thighs, butt, waist and in some cases even genital area (penis). Other areas to further become infested are the ankles and toes.

Symptoms will increase at night and can be self medicated by drinking alcohol which helps with the itching


Got it right on the nose didt I?
cheers... HAHA
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Avatar universal
Im a dermatologist

I can tell you with quiet certainty that you have scabies. Visit your doctor immediately to receive 5% Permethrin Cream, and no you cannot get it over the counter…

Ive seen cases like that a thousand time. If you dont visit the doctor Other symptoms may include: general itchiness around, thighs, butt, waist and in some cases even genital area (penis). Other areas to further become infested are the ankles and toes.

cheers... HAHA
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Avatar universal
I am from the US and I am currently in China trying to get my wife and 1 year old son with home with me. My first travel to China was in Feb, 2010 before my visit to China I have never left the Stated and never had this problem before. Do you travel overseas or stay in an  environment that is not like your normal area for an extended period of time?

I think the  environmental conditions in which you are play a part in this condition. As I have never had this problem prior to coming to China. Also, these bumps only show up in the summer. So it is if you get them only in certain times of the year. It's most likely not scabies.

I have searched and came up with the best possible answer and it seems like Dyshidrotic Ezema as scabies are highly contagious. So I am sure that is not my broblem.

here is the link to the side I found hope it helps and and also I hope you can take comford in knowing that you are not alone in this.
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Avatar universal
Here's a helpful link, the only thing I didn't see for helping cure is an ointment made specially at the Univervisity of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI

http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/lichen-planus
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Avatar universal
I went to the Dermatologist today at the U of M in Ann Arbor, MI.  Started out on my feet as what I thought were a couple bug bites.  Spread to both feet/ankles/lower legs, then wrists and arms with a couple spots on legs and torso.  It itches uncontrollably at night and drives me insane.  Just like a bad mosquito bite would if you kept itching it.  Also, had a biopsy and waiting the results but from what I saw from the pamphlet it's EXACTLY what I have.  I also had some stuff in my mouth (which I thought was from chewing tobacco- which I quit 4 months previously)...but it was ALSO related to my surprise.  What it is ladies and gentlemen?????...are you ready????....Lichen Planus.  Jesus Christ I read all these posts like 3 weeks ago and nobody had an answer!  I was so mad and annoyed (and itchy!!!).  Cause- unknown, treatment- steroid creme that is made at U of M exclusively (they ship to florida so check it out), UV light treatment 3x's per week.  None of these treatments will however 'cure' the issue and it can reappear later in life...these treatments will just ease the symptoms of the itching and spreading of the spots.  It can last up to 3 years and leave horrible scaring that eventually fade in time (as any scar does).  The oral lichen planus can last much longer and be much harder to treat (up to 5 years or more).  I start the steroid cream tonight:  2x per day for like a month or so then just apply on weekends after that.  If anyone has further questions as to what the cream is called from U of M let me know.  Also, this is not contageous, and again causes are unknown (sometimes in older people medication causes it and stopping of certain medications can cure, Hepatitus C can also cause so be sure to get a blood test).   Sorry ladies and gents- seems as thought this will be a long battle.
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4696253 tn?1358090793
I suffer with itchy rashes on the palms of my hands, fingers, ankles and toes. I've had this for almost 2 years. It is so miserable as I am a nurse and have to wash my hands many times a day. I've had topical allergy testing and found out I'm allergic to Nickle, Gold, Formaldehyde, Fragrances, bacitracin ointment, Neomycin ointment, Diazoldinyl Urea, Quaternium 15, Carba Mix. I had severe reactions to the skin patches.

I am currently in the process of changing some of the products I use. This will take a while but in the mean time I am so miserable with a flare up right now. I started using cotton gloves when I drive my car at work because I discovered that the steering wheel really irritates my hands. They crack and are very painful.

I use Mupirocin Ointment for cracked areas and then a bandaid which I am probably allergic to also, who knows. I've considered doing some sort of detox to see if that is what my body needs but it's hard to work and do this since I'm on the road all the time. I've tried all kinds of ointments but if they work, it's only in the early stage and just a few days.

Skin reactions can last from 2-8 weeks, even if you don't come into contact with the substance again. If you have many exposures over time, it may take 3-6 months before your skin gets completely better after you start avoiding that substance. I got this information from my dermatologist. I am going to see her Monday and hope I can get a shot to calm this stuff down.

I found that 4 cups of water with 4 TBS of vinegar and soaking my hands help calm down the redness. I am going to find some Emu Oil and see that will help me too as my hands get very dry. I have a prescription cream that stays on your hands for several washings but it's $90 a tube with a discount coupon. Food allergies are a good thing to look at too.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I like the Ph suggestion too. I suspect inflammation in the body may play a role. There's some answer to all this mystery but I am not sure what it is.

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Avatar universal
let you doc give you prescriptions for ringworm tablets and creams all symptoms will go away : tablet is griseofluvin                                                                                                
                                     cream is ufen  and  zoflut
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Avatar universal

Cosmostressed  
4 minutes
I too share the excruciating painful aggravating itch from these many little tiny blisters of clear fluid on my fingers. I do hair and have kept a few here and there for many many yrs but recently have had a terrible outbreak. Another coworker at the salon has it too. She is using some cream from dr for dry skin that she had from another issue. The bottle she had said: triamc, ureac, menthol, camphor........whatever that is..lol. My mother and I came up with the idea of using desitin cream..works but still too moist to heal all the way. Tonight i'm trying moist at soothing care powder for chaffing and irritation..has zinc oxide like desitin but will keep it dryer since its a powder. Hopefully this will do the tric! Will repost soon to let u know.
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Avatar universal
This is not scabies.  Scabies is more like little reddish dots that spread out from one area.  This is like tiny clear bubbles that appear on hands and feet.

Anyway . . . for those who develop this, the clear calamine lotion helped me and also massive doses of probiotics to help regulate the insides and get rid of yeast and acid in the body.  After weeks of trying everything and researching on the internet, I tried these two things at once because it was still getting worse and worse and benadryl, cortizone cream, vinegar soaks, claritin, etc had all failed.  Started the clear calamine and the probiotics at the same time and it all cleared up within 48 hours.  Maybe it was just one or the other, but that's what made it better for me.  I can tell you it was definitely flaring worse and worse and then suddenly did a 180 and started healing so it was something I did and not just coincidence of timing.

Good luck!  Hope you are all feeling better soon.   I know the itchy sleepless nights are terrible especially if you are already stressed about working long hours like I was.
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Avatar universal
i have been diagnosed with dishydriotic eczema, it depends on what you eat when you get a flare up, eat organic apples, steamed organic broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, etc..., (no seasoning on foods, breads, cheese, coffee, tea, tomato, canned or bottled food) use fragrance free detergent and soaps, and most important limit stress in your life.  Let the blisters dry up and peel off on their own, wash hands and feet with cold water and PATT dry with paper towel day and night.  You can slowly intergrate these restricted foods listed above after the blisters go away to see if these items cause it to flare up.
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Avatar universal
Has anyone tried a clear calamine lotion? Works for me.
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