Small painful bumps on fingers that burst with exercise

[francisn]

Earlier last month I started to get little painful red bumps on my left ring finger. I had had a couple occassionally, but on this occassion I had 8 on one finger. They are really small but very painful. I have gotten a couple interspersed on both hands, but not a huge outbreak like on my ring finger. They usually are very painful for the first day and are red, and then become flesh-colored with a little light brown dot in the middle. I believe the little brown dot is dried blood, because today I exercised and a some newer bumps appear to be filled wiht blood - much like when you pinch your finger in something. Also, one of them burst. I tried finding something online about this - but it didn't sound like eczema or a fungal-type infection. Please help as this has really started to worry me.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm without examination but it can be due to dyshidrotic eczema. 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 eczema 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). Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.Contact dermatitis has to be probed.

Hope it helps .Take care and pls do keep us posted in case you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

Contact dermatitis to rubber or latex is my impression.Try doing your workout with cotton gloves if possible.As of now zinc paste should help applied.