Skin peeling away on fingertips of both hands!

[mram0415]

Hi, I don't know what is going on with my fingers. A week ago, I started experiencing skin coming off on my fingers. It started off in my index finger of my right hand but quickly spread to both hands. At this point, the skin is peeling in layers. It's very painful and it's not getting any better with the use of hand creams. I've had this same problem about 6 years ago but it went away with cocoa butter. I used cocoa butter again, but it didn't help at all. I've never had allergies or anything and I have no idea what's going on. Also, before the skin peeled all the way, there were little bumps on my fingers. I was a pick rat, so I picked at them. When the bumps burst open, a clear liquid was exerted from the bumps. after that, the skin proceeded on to peeling. I'm completely out of skin on my hands for it to keep peeling, and now it's starting to bleed in spots where the skin has gone through many layers. Please help with this, because my fingers are hurting and burning constantly. I'm dumbfounded as to what caused this. Also, I'm 18 years old, and I live in a fairly humid area. I do not have constant dry skin, nor do I have any allergies.

[microworld123]

"Anti-fungals don't help, nor do steroids, nor emollients."

I agree with you 100%.  Do not waste your money and time on these.  I used to have horribly, blistering fingers for about 18 months, and no dermatologist could help me.  Then I had to take a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics for another health problem, and my fingers healed miraculously and never bothered me again.  It seems that you have some type of bacteria that produces harmful toxins or enzymes that affect your skin, such as staphylococcus.  Talk to your doctor and see what he says.

[piersonparsons]

http://www.pompholyx.co.uk/
You need Betnovate cream.

Very common

[kelly303]

I have the same problem. It started on my right foot where it still is, but recently it has spread to my hands. I get the same lame answers from doctors about it. Harsh chemicals, wrong diagnosis, but I am not a 'pick-rat as you call your self. The blisters that erupt are NOT dry, they have clear fluid in them and when they are broken, the pain and itch is intense. It is on all of my fingers, and when it is in what I call"flare up" it is painful to even touch water with them. If you ever find a cure, I would like to hear from you. Anti-fungals don't help, nor do steroids, nor emollients. ALL of them burn on application when whatever this is is flared up.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

This could be exfoliative keratolysis which is a common skin condition in which there is focal peeling of the palms and most often affects young adults. This usually presents with one or more superficial air-filled blisters on the fingers or palms. The blisters burst to leave peeled areas that may become red, dry and cracked. This is triggered by exposure to irritants including water, soap, detergents and solvents. This also has a tendency to recur.

It is recommended that you identify and avoid the irritants.  Emollient hand creams especially those containing urea, lactic acid, or silicone may also help. If it persists, it would be best to have this evaluated by your doctor to rule out other  conditions such as psoriasis or fungal infection.

Take care and keep us posted.