Tiny bumps on hands and feet.

Hello,

My name is Brittany. And ever since I was 9 or 10 I would get these little tiny red bumps on my hands and feet, first it would only be like 1 or 2 bumps, then they would start to itch and then they would spread. I get these on both hands and feet. I am now 19 and I still have them to this day, right now even.

Its gotten worse over the years, and I ONLY get them in the summer and they go away in the fall. Which is really bizarre. I really need to know what its called, and get a cure for it I'm so sick of these bumps! Its made me to where I've almost put my hands and feet into boiling hot water or something to make the itching stop.

I used about everything that came to mind, Neosporin, Alcohol, Peroxide, Cortisone, and Lotrimin. None of them helped, excepted for the Peroxide it helped with the itching but that was pretty much it, the symptoms keep coming back.

And I just need to know what should I do? I've done just about everything I could think of. I need to find out what it is, what causes it, and how to get rid of it for good.
It would be a great help, I appreciate it! Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms that you are having sound like dyshidrotic eczema. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide). Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist. I hope that helps.Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.