cracked, dry, blistered hands

I had my second cervical fusion surgery on May 3rd, 2010.  Soon after my surgery I began to develop a cracked dry skin rash on my thumb.  I was outside in the sun and dry air a lot because both of my boys play baseball so I just assumed it was caused by that.  On July 4th, I could no longer take the pain of the crack constantly splitting open everytime I moved so someone suggested I get liquid bandaid.  I used that for a while thinking that eventually it would heal and the dry cracked skin would go away.  Unfortunately it progressively has gotten worse.  I went to the doctor and he prescribed cream for psoriasis.  I used that for about 3 months.  At first it worked but then shortly after my hands just got worse.  Then one day I couldn't even use my hands.  They had looked like I had them sitting in water for days.  They were all wrinkled looking yet the skin was hard.  So hard I couldn't even move my hands.  My mother had to come and get me dressed it was so bad.  My mother who sells L'bri immediately started me on her products which are all natural and aloe based products.  It has been about 3 weeks now and I can say it seems my hands are getting better but everytime I look at them I can't tell and they are still cracking in spots and extremely painful.  Looking online for pictures that looked like my hands I came across something that said dyphrodotic eczema or something like that.  I know that one of the causes is from metal implants.  With my second surgery the doctor did screw a metal plate to my bones for stability.  I am at a loss at this point and really just want my hands back, Help!


This discussion is related to Hand Rash, Foot Rash, Eczema or something more serious?.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like pompholyx. 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 symptoms 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).But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Symptoms  can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.


If they prove unsucvessful, then Light treatment: UVA-1, PUVA, Grenz rays, Low Level Light Therapy using a Red + NIR (LED) combination can be used. For recalcitrant cases, corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressants may be used. In addition, you can apply aloe vera to the hands. It will help.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.