skin rash on hands

[sparkplug]

Im having some issues with my skin and its driving me insane.  All over my hands, I keep breaking out in these little whitish bumps.  It dont matter what Im doing, working, sleeping, sitting, these bumps will just suddenly appear and itch like crazy, then go away.  Now, when they pop up, the area where their showing will be slightly raised and whitish (sometimes just one bump will pop up alone with no raise in the foreskin) and they look clear, sometimes have a small amount of liquid and my skin will usually start to peel in these areas.  I have no choice but to dig at them and sometimes my itching will cause them to like, pop?  After a few minutes they will go away.  They usually pop up in the same areas, my palms, my fingers, my knuckles, anywhere on my hands.  I had have some individual bumps scattered on my body that are they same, but somewhat larger and not as itchy, but still a pain.  The biggest issues are my hands, Its  horrific and driving me to insanity.  Since a child ive had issues with my nerves and anxiety and was always very sensitive to my surroundings.  Now, I just moved into this house and since then theeeese bumps have appeared.  I have changed my bed sheets, undergarmets, soaps and nothing helped.  Ive taken benadryl and it dont help.  The bumps on my hands are not very large, near the size of the tip on a ball point pen.    

[van gogh]

I had flea bites that I scratched and the skin got infected. I went to a General Practioner who prescribed Prednisone in pill form. This did not work. I then went to a Dermatologists who said that the Prednisone was correct,but I needed a stronger dose up front and then the pills also. So, I got a shot of the Prednisone and took the Prednisone pills,plus I was prescribed some type of topical rub-forgot what that was now. But, the Prednisone took the inflamation out right away and the itching stopped. So, I suppose that sometimes the drug is correct,but the dosage is important also. I've got the same thing with the flea bites now this summer and some other inflamation that comes and goes- maybe a reaction to the flea bites. Anyway, I've tried the over the counter itch medicine with the Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride in it at 2%,which is the stongetst over the counter amount I've seen in this drug,but it's not working. So, I think I'll go back to the Dermatologist.

[starry_eyed]

I'm not a doctor, but I wanted to comment since what you are describing sounds like the same kind of bumps I had on my hands.

After I had my baby I was washing my hands a LOT more than I usually do (and I'm a germaphobic, so to speak).  I noticed that these bumps (small, itchy, and fluid-filled) were showing up in different areas on my hands.  It scared me since I thought I would pass it on to the baby.  I went to see my dermatologist and he reassured me they were NOT CONTAGIOUS but a reaction to the skin being stressed from constant washing.  

I ended up getting rid of the bumps by using a regular hand moisturizer (like Lubriderm) after washing my hands.  I didn't have to use any kind of prescription.

Your situation may be different, but try the cheapest, easiest possible remedy first, which would be to use more moisturizer, before paying money for a doctor visit and a prescription.

[Iowastate80]

I to get those bumps on my hands.  I was told being nerves had something to do with it but I am not sure.  I get the same affect.  They itch clear liquid and they come and go with out warning.  I am afraid it migh spread.  Can it?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Forgive me, but I am skeptical that you 'have no choice but to dig at them.'  If you continue to dig at them, no treatment in the world will help you.  My best guess is that you have a bit of eczema and a lot of tendency to pick at gouge at your skin.  Sheets, soaps, and detergents almost certainly have nothing to do with this.  Anxiety has a lot to do with it.  I suggest you go to the drugstore and pick up some lotion containing pramoxine, a topical anesthetic helpful in numbing nerve endings and suppressing itch.  Supplement that with any bland moisturizer you like, as often as you wish.  Then see a dermatologist, but only of you have not traumatized the bumps you speak of.  Otherwise, nobody's going to be able to diagnose and help you.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[sparkplug]

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