raynauds/rash/joint pain

[aggie5976]

During the winter time when I was 13, my hands swelled up. During that first winter, my hands would swell and patches on my feet would swell everytime they were exposed to the cold. My hands and feet have not swollen since that first winter. Every winter and spring since then, my hands develop a rash across my knuckles. The rash is very dry, scaly, and itchy. My hands will bleed and dirt will settle into the rash and the rash scars my hands. My fingers become flushed red. (The specialists I saw when I was 13 told me I have Raynauds). My finger joints hurt during this time. I also have hand tremors, but I don't know whether this is related. When I was 13 - 15, I was tested for all the autoimmune diseases. They were negative but I was told that some dieases dont show until you are older. 10 years later this rash still comes every winter. The rash is usually worse with stress. Could you give me any idea what this could be? Steroid creme helps control the rash.

[KarenZ]

Google dermatomyositis and read about how it affects the skin, in paticular the hands. You should be able to find some picture of hands with Grotton's papules (?) that might resemble what you have. It's worth a shot to see if it's what you have. Good luck to you.

[floridagirl11]

This is prevalent in Scleroderma, as well as other diseases. You need to go visit a Rheumatologist, as that is the doctor that tests for autoimmune issues. Have him or her test your ANA--run a full panel. God bless!

[Kande]

Hi aggie,  If I were you I would see a hepatologist, (liver specialist), because Raynauds can cause a disease called "Primary Biliary Cirrhosis." It usually hits around the age of 45. It does sound like you have some of the symptoms. It is something you can take medicine for, but may lead to a liver transplant. I would go to the doctor a.s.a.p., just to make sure that isn't what you have. PBC can show a false neg. result, so I would have a liver biopsy to be sure! Take care.