Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

red spots on back of hands

37 yo white gay man, HIV status unknown

I have developed an outbreak of small raised red bumps on the back of my hands (both) along the fingers with a few on the wrist and arm. This has lasted approximately a week. Some go away and new ones appear. They do not itch, bleed, or crust. The continued outbreak is stressing me out considerably.  Should I treat with a topical steroid, leave alone, wait and see what happens? I am travelling abroad and don't have ready access to health care.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
242489 tn?1210497213
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A form of eczema seems most likely.  I suggest using any form of hydrocortisone available to you, plus lubrication with any moisturizer.  Chances are the rash will diminish or go away in a week or 10 days more.  If it doesn't, or if it spreads, I'd seek medical attention, only I don't think you'll have to.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you drink a lot of coffee?  I used to have something similar along the outer edges of the backs of my hands.  Once I figured out it was related to coffee consumption I stopped drinking coffee and they went away.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
About two years ago I went on vacation to London and Paris and came back with a similar rash that mainly affected my fingers, wrists, ankles and feet.  It turns out I contracted scabies, which is a contagious skin condition caused by a mite.  It's really easy to pick up while traveling from bed sheets, airplane seats, etc.  The treatment is a cream that you apply from head to toe for one to two nights to kill the mites.  I would definitely get it checked out because if it is scabies, it's really easy to spread to others.
Helpful - 0
242489 tn?1210497213
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If it only affects the hands and came on rapidly, it does not sound like scabies.  Scabies is not easy to pick up from bed sheets and airplane seats.

Dr. Rockoff
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Dermatology Forum

Popular Resources
Learn to identify and prevent bites from summer’s most common pests.
Doctors argue for legislation to curb this dangerous teen trend in the latest Missouri Medicine report.
10 ways to keep your skin healthy all winter long
How to get rid of lumpy fat on your arms, hips, thighs and bottom
Diet “do’s” and “don’ts” for healthy, radiant skin.
Images of rashes caused by common skin conditions