Rash/Boils/Moles

Dear Doctor,

Thanks for taking the time to help everyone here.  I have a couple of dermatological questions for you and appreciate your input on them.  I am a 32 yo female in good health.

I recently acquired a rash that I am trying to get a handle on and am hoping you might have some insight for me. About 3 weeks ago the sides of my index fingers began to itch. Within a day or two, I realized there were bumps, but they were not superficial, but rather as if they were "under" the skin.  The itching was intense, and quickly the itching and bumps moved to my other fingers, almost entirely on the sides of my fingers, with only a few areas on the underside (palm side). There were eventually some on the palm of my hands, my elbows, knees and the knuckle of my big toes.  There was only slight redness, if any at all.  The itching and spread lasted about 2 weeks, and then the itching began to subside, the bumps became undetectable, but the skin has thickened and is now peeling away. My fingers are stiff, although bendable, and are moderatly swollen (unable to get my wedding ring off).  There is only mild itching associated with it now and the peeling is covering most of my hands, and is cracking in some places and leaving raw areas.  The main areas if involvement have been my fingers, while the other areas have remained very mild in comparison.  Any ideas what this might be?? I have never had anything like this before.

Second problem that I have had for years now are boils in my arm pits and groin area.  The weather had just recently warmed up here and I have already had one in the groin area, and expect many more throughout the warmer months.  It does happen in the winter time also, but much less frequently. There is a fair amount of scar tissue in both areas, and what appear to be areas that have remained open, if you will, that I am able to expell thickened material from.  I had assumed at one time that it was due to shaving these areas and the hairs becoming embedded, but have ceased shaving my pubic area for the last few years and deal with just as many anyway.  Is there anything that can be done to stop these from appearing??  

Finally, I have three moles, each approx the size of a pencil eraser on the under side of my forearm that have been there for as long as I can remember.  They are about 1/2" apart from each other, interestingly in the shape of a triangle (one on top with two even with each other just below).  They are light brown in color, only slightly raised, and have changed shapes and sometimes darkened over the years.  I have a fourth thats formed just below these in the last year, only smaller.  Do these sound like any particular type of mole, and are they anything that I should be concerned about??

I am due to see a dermatologist on the 27th, but am interested in having some information before going in to see him.  Thanks so much for any information you can share with me.

Sincerely,
Kass

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Kass:

Your hand rash sounds like eczema.  Your dermatologist should be able to recommend topical cream treatment.

I don't know of any good ways to make a dent in boils under armpit skin.  It's best to leave them alone.

The moles sound routine.  Please show the doctor when you go.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff