Puffy Palms when submerged in water

[Jamie8989]

About 2-3 weeks ago i noticed after showering the palms of my hands got really wrinkled and hurt a little, i applied lotion, and it calmed it down. It took about 30-45 minutes for my hands to go back to normal. This happens when my hands sweat, doing dishes, taking a shower anything that deals with water and my hands being involved. I apply lotion as much as i can but this is really annoying!! Im 23 years old and have read this happens in your yound teens early twenties. Would anyone know what this is or something i can apply to my hands to help it. Thank you

[mamamindy393]

My daughter also has awp. She went to college in 8/11 and in 10/11 she had her first episode with her palms, just as described here. We tried the Dri-sol and it made her hands extremely dry. I'm wondering if she should have continued with it anyway. She was 18 at the time. We brought her to the pediatrition who had no knowledeg, but I did have her tested for CF which was negative. This summer (7/12) I brought her to a dermatologist and they tested her for over 70 items (patch test). The only thing she reacted to was nickel which I already suspected as she can onlky wear 14k yellow gold earrings. We live in Connecticut and she goes to school in the same state about 1 hr 10min away. She seemed okay at home this summer, but as she says, she has become a master of taking quick showers. We were in Florida for 2 weeks this summer and the only time she had a problem was when she took a really long shower one day. She has gone back to college and had a episode almost immediately. I spoke with the people in charge of the water on campus to check the nickel levels thinking this could be the problem. They said it was well below the advisory level. About a week ago she was walking back to her dorm and was caught in a terrible rainstorm. Immediately her hands reacted with the puffiness, tightness, pores, etc. so now I am once again at square one. I noticed this post I'm responding to is from 2008. Have you anymore information or suggestions? This is a terrible affliction in itself as well as the fact that she is studying to be an orthodontist and all I can think of is how many times a day you need to wash your hands. She doesn't have a problem with Purell. Any insight, suggestions or solutions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help
Sincerely,
Mindy Rosow

[km101]

I had this exact same condition on my palms, and so did my little sister. The solution is simple!! I did some research and found out that Drysol (typically used under the arms as an anti-persperant) works to get rid of this. You can find it at any drugstore...and fyi if you have very sweaty underarms it's a miracle drug. Just apply Drysol to your palms before bed, and within a day or two the condition should clear up! I did this and told my sister to as well and we haven't had a problem since. No idea why it works but it does!  

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This sounds like AWP. Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) is a rare condition that mainly affects young women, and often occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis. It may also occur in carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene.

AWP resembles the exaggerated wrinkling of the palms which is caused by spending too long in a bath or pool.

Clinically, it is characterized by the appearance or worsening of a palmar eruption, following brief exposure to water. The palmar eruption is comprised of small, white or translucent papules that coalesce into plaques. The
feet are unaffected.

Patients may report an uncomfortable tight or burning sensation during an eruption. In most cases the palmar skin returns to normal within a few hours of exposure to water, however, in some cases the eruption can persist for longer periods.

Some patients have had relief with an antiperspirant such as 20% Aluminium Chloride Hexahydrate applied to the palms at night.

Let us know if you need any further information.

Post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.