Rash

During the winter time when I was 13, my hands swelled up. During that first winter, my hands would swell and patches on my feet would swell everytime they were exposed to the cold. My hands and feet have not swollen since that first winter. Every winter and spring since then, my hands develop a rash across my knuckles. The rash is very dry, scaly, and itchy. My hands will bleed and dirt will settle into the rash and the rash scars my hands. My fingers become flushed red. (The specialists I saw when I was 13 told me I have Raynauds). My finger joints hurt during this time. I also have hand tremors, but I don't know whether this is related. When I was 13 - 15, I was tested for all the autoimmune diseases. They were negative but I was told that some dieases dont show until you are older. 10 years later this rash still comes every winter. The rash is ususally worse with stress. Could you give me any idea what this could be? Steroid creme helps control the rash.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This does not sound autoimmune or like Raynaud's.  It's either eczema or over-dry skin from too much washing, or both.  A single visit to a dermatologist should give you the answer, and any medication you need.  meantime, keep the skin moist with vaseline or other moisture cream, and keep soap-and-water washing to a minumum.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff