wrinkled, dry, cracked hands

My problem started with the inside of my thumb being extremely dry and cracking.  Over the last 6 mos. my hands have become increasingly dry with a quarter size area of my palm and other smaller areas having lost the top layers of skin  These areas are symmetrical.  In addition, the ends of my fingertips look like I have been soaking them in water with other areas of my fingers and hands having formed deep vertical lines, not necessarly dry but definetly apparent.  My left small finger nail looks as if I have a fungus.  I have no problems with the backs of my hands and the only other problem I have is at the top of my rear end crack which is extremely red and hard with hard vertical wrinkles, the same ones that appear to be forming on my hands and fingers.  It is extremely itchy and skin does sluff off.  I moisturize my hands often daily but they are still extremely dry.  

Sometimes there are small bumps under the palms of my skin, they itch but do not break out or form lesions.  

Please help.

[missymomof2]

Did you get any answers to this?  I too have this same problems and the derms. in our area keep telling me it's just some type of eczema.  I don't think so.

[Lynn7445]

I too have this same problem and want to know if you received a answer. Thank you!

[tmdmc69]

What color are the bumps on your palms? Does it seem like they have pus in them?

[Lynn7445]

Like pulverizor I break out in small bumps on legs, back, but not palms. My bumps are hard, no pus, itch badly and will bleed if scratched. My bigger concern is the wrinkled, dry, cracked skin on underside and tips of fingers. My wrinkles are long, vertical along the inside of my fingers. Eczema cream does not seem to help. Coating with a heavy hand therapy cream (almost like vaseline) keeps fingers from hurting and getting much worse, but does not cure the problem.

[NaeNae20]

I have eczema and it seems like we suffer from the some of the same symptoms. The outsides of my hands, particularly my fingers, are very,very dry and itchy. Sometimes I get little pus-filled bumps too! Eew! I know it can be very embarassing but here a few tips that I found to be useful...

1. Use perfume-free lotions, body washes,etc.
2. After washing your hands dry them ENTIRELY.
3.Vaseline is an inexpensive moisturizer you  can get the generic brand for $1 and it works just as well.

Although these tips have worked for me you should still consult a physician for a diagnosis. Good Luck

There was once a man who was embarassed of his hands but then he looked at his neighbor and he didnt have any.

[candy117]

Ihave tried cetaphil cream which has helped to heal my cracked, peeling, and dry hands.  My fingers cracked so badly near the palms  where the horizontal lines are that whenever I would use sanitizer or alcohol based products, those cracked areas burned.  Also, I use cetaphil or some type of lotion everytime I wash my hands.  The red, itchy, pus filled bumps on the outside of my right hand have healed and my inside hands have also healed.  I have one crack on a finger, but it is a 98% improvement.

[Yessy101]

i have the same problem as what u just described! in my case! all the derma's told me there was no cure...but i dont give up, he probably didnt know much bout our case! please help me out with my problem since we are in the same situation!!!
bye!!

[painprints]

I have the same verticle fingertips drying. It started about 5 years ago. am 25 female. It started with my right ring finger than it started spreading to the other fingertips. It does look like it was in water for a long time. The thing is that it isn't dry, or skin doesn't slough off. Usually, and right now, it is just sensitive and it isn't progressing. But I'm scared it will get worse. and it feels like it is an internal problem. When I feel that it is getting worse, it is incredibly painful-- a wierd different --really can't take it-- chewing on foil-- type of pain. Basically it looks like AND feels llike my fingertips are drying from the inside. like water is being sucked out of them.


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[willy851]

It is definitely eczema.

[Blackie95]

Any luck with the wrinked, dry hands?   As I was reading your post, I felt like we shared the exact same problem.   It seems that the dryness/profound wrinkles just happened suddenly.
I

[tm0413]

Has anybody found out what this is?  We can all come to the conclusion that we all have it, but nobody has posted whether they found out what was causing it or how to make it better.  The one that said it seems like it is internal, I agree with 100%  I was told by a Dr. that I have eczema.  My fingers have deep vertical lines in them which if scratched enough split and bleed. They feel like paper cuts.  The palms of my hand have what look to be sort of brownish callus looking spots that itch, but the weird thing that everybody else says they have that I do not have is my finger tips.  They look like nothing is wrong with them at all.   Please somebody answer and help me

[irishrose333]

I too am experiencing this problem... I'm 20 years old and female... and I've NEVER had any skin problems... until a few months ago, that is...
It all started with some ingrown hairs on my legs that became infected.. BADLY.  I've had 2 that are now gone, but have lefts scars that did not heal.  I now have two more.  I also have never experienced any type of fungus before or anything... but at the same time as my strange infections, I also have developed a fungus on one of my toenails... I have no idea what it is or how it happened... or how to cure it... but there it is.
And then... the fingertips.  At first, it was only my left ring finger.  It didn't bother me, it was just really dry and kind of shrivled looking...  I went to see a dermatologist and he seemed unconcerned.  He gave me a lotion to put on it and sent me on my way.  A little over a month later, it's steadily progressed to all of my fingers.  They're making me insane.  It feels weird to touch things, and it's almost as though they're empty under the skin... sometimes it peels off, too.  Just yesterday, they have also started itching... it's only off and on though, randomly, like a sudden pulse of itchy that subsides quickly as if it was never there.  The itch also feels like it's under my skin...  it's getting worse too, though.
I'm going to go see a doctor again soon and get my blood checked... has anyone considered that it might be diabetes?  I am wondering if that might be it... since some of my symptoms match that, and it runs in my family...  What do you guys think?  I am 100% certain that this is all being caused by something internal.  I am also having trouble with wounds healing...  :/

[mawia]

@irishrose333 you're describing what I have exactly. Except on top of all you mentioned  the skin spilts and forms really painful lesions.

This *****! Did any one find a solution? Help !! :(

[BlueSkies1]

Have you found a solution to your skin problems and you just discribed mine.  My dermo said it was ezcema (eczema) and prescribed a strong steriod cream together with Dermol 500 lotion and Epaderm Ointment. None of these help much because as soon as I stop using the steriod cream the lines, cracks, (thank feel like papercuts) peeling and dryness return. I have suffered with this problem for 2 and half years now and I have  not found a solution yet. Why can't any of these professional skin doctors help.  They just seem to fob it off as ezcema (eczema).  The disappointing thing is that I have always looked after my skin, but I can't find a answer or cure for this skin problem on the palms of my hands.