PART2: Peeling skin in finger and toes, water exposure makes it worse

[Larry_Wall]

I wish to continue this thread. I don't understand why it was closed in the first place; especially since the Dr's advice seem way off.

Original Thread:
Peeling skin in finger and toes, water exposure makes it worse
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dermatology/Peeling-skin-in-finger-and-toes--water-exposure-makes-it-worse/show/244485

I have the *EXACT* condition as the first guy described it in his thread:
1) Had a significant throat infection that lasted for 8-10 days about 2 months ago. I was tested, and the results did NOT confirm strep throat, but they also did not know what it was. It hurt to swallow and got bad enough that it would wake me up at night.
2) That went away on its own, but around the same time or shortly after, I started getting tiny white bubbles on the under side of my finger tips (opposite side of nail). It started on 1 or 2 fingers, and after 2 weeks, I had it on all my finger tips.
3) The white air bubbles "rise" to the top and are very small and usually not filled with fluid
4) The first week they were not itchy  but now they are quite itchy, and i do get a slight ache if too much skin peels off (i.e. too many bubbles in a row popping on finger tips).
5) The key factor that differenciates this from other finger bubble/skin peelings I've seen is that any exposure to water of any kind makes it MUCH MUCH worse. So the Dr. in the thread above saying that swimming is ok, completely and utterly misdiagnosed this. There is NO way that exposure to water is ok. Even 30 seconds to 1 minute of exposure to water can tripple the skin peeling, the number of bubbles that surface and also the itching gets much worse.

I've gone to a walk in clinic a few weeks ago and was prescribed with 2.5% cortozone cream mixed with 1/3 moisturizing cream and 1/3 glycerine. Since then my condition has gotten about 3 times worse, and all the cream does is remove the itchiness.

Unfortunately I've been too busy to go to my personal doctor, but will try to do so this week, as this is starting to get out of control. It's to the point where I take one shower per day with gloves on (so as to not get my finger tips wet), but even so, just the sweating from a 10 minute hot shower is enough to double the problem instantly. I also have been restricting washing my hands no more than once per day which is not very sanitary, but it's the only way I can keep this from getting worse even faster.

I should also note that I have been prone to skin problems in the past few years. I have very mild psoriasis on the top of 2 of my fingers, but this is not at all like psoriasis. I've also gotten a small common viral infection on my back 3 summers ago that was treated with some prescribed pills and resulted in temporary skin discoloration in circles (I forget the name now, but it is common, but again not at all like these white bubbles that get worse with water that I described above).

I don't know what they are teaching general western doctors about skin diseases these days, but no matter what problem I've had, they always start out by prescribing hydrocortizone... as if that's some kind of cure all - but it rarely is.

It pisses me off that most of the time not only do they not have a clue as to what the problem is (until further tests are done), but that even after tests are done and they finally identify the problems, that they don't understand what the root cause of the problems are. This is the part about Western Medicine that I strongly dislike and find that is seriously lacking in understanding.

Anyway, if I have time over the next few weeks, after I've had a chance to go to my doctor and hopefuly a specialist, if I get some proper answers, I'll try to remember to come back here and post the real problem name and hopefuly a solution.


This discussion is related to Peeling skin in finger and toes, water exposure makes it worse.

[Shariiibeary]

sounds like exactly what I have but mine started like toward the end of may and it's been like a month and a half now. I pretty much noticed my fingers having those air bubbles and then peeling after showering and then any kind of water exposure just makes it worse. I found online it said it's more common during the warm months so this is a first I'm hearing its during the winter time.

I constantly wear gloves whenever I come in contact with water and even when showering. Just even a simple hand washing, makes my fingers peel :( Lotions and creams seem to make them feel a bit better but that's pretty much about it.

how are you doing now? with the treatment you tried, has it gone away?

[Larry_Wall]

So I finally had a chance to go to my doctor, and guess what? He's actually had the condition I have for several years. His recommendation:

1) This condition results in excess dryness of the skin in affected areas, so use moisterizer. Ezcema creams are good. I was recommended "TriXera+" which is Paraben free, fragrance free and highly tolerated. It can be purchased over the counter, but it is expensive ($30 canadian for 200 ml). It is a cream for "severely dry sensitive skin". www.eau-thermale-avene.com. He also suggested that for the first few days I put on moistorizer and then put on some cotton gloves before going to bed, so that the moistorizer wouldn't wipe off on the bed sheets and would work overnight. I did this for the first 4 or 5 nights. Not sure this is entirely necessary, but I did it.

2) Until the condition improves, avoid washing hands with water. Use instead anti-bacterial soap alcohol hand cleaner, and wipe off with towel, then re-apply moistorizer. I bought some at the pharmacy and put it into a small pump bottle.

3) Apprently this problem is exhacerbated during winter months when one catches less sunshine and usually goes away during the summer, but may return in following winter seasons. My doctor recommended therefore more sunshine and vitamin D pills (400 to 800 IUs). I started out taking 1000 IUs for the first few days, and am now down to 400 or so. I've also been taking Centrum full vitamin pills daily, and trying to increase my sunshine intake, although it's hard with my schedule and work.

I've been doing the above for about 1 month now, and my condition has improved substancially, it is about 80% improved, so I will carry on with this.

I hope this helps someone down the road. All the best! :-)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms the possibility of pompholyx needs to be ruled out. The exact cause is not known and excessive sweating can be one of the reasons. But some triggers like allergic reaction to soaps, detergents, foods, latex, nickel etc may trigger the symptoms. Apply some calamine lotion on the affected area and keep the area well moisturized. Use only thin applications of moisturizer ointments as excessive amounts of ointment may restrict breathing of the skin and aggravate the condition.

Topical steroids can be applied but they are available under prescription. Moreover to prevent infection, topical antibiotics may be needed. I suggest you to consult a dermatologist and get it evaluated.

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 doctor. Treatment can be started only when the diagnosis is confirmed. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.