Finger blisters

[carolo43]

I have been having these blisters appearing only in the mornings and between my finger for the last 4 months.  My hands nearly drive me nuts.  I have changed soaps, lotions, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap and everything there is to change.  I have only very tiny blisters with clear fluid that dry out and then crack where the skin has gotten dry.  Eczema lotion helps with the dryness but not the blistering.  I have used alcohol, cortisone creams, anti-itch creams, calamine lotion....you name it.  I have sat around with my hands in a pail of the hottest water I could stand.  Anything for relief.

Now I will add something weird.  I have smoked for 48 years until 5 months ago.  I gave it up without much stress and enjoyed being free from the habit.  It wasn't until today that I got thinking of this and just when this rash began which is shortly after me quitting.  I have been in a tizzy this whole last week of constant morning blistering until this morning!  I smoked a whole darned pack of cigarettes last night!  I woke up this morning with no even one new blister.  What the heck?

I have checked into Celiac Disease but last night ate noodles and bread so if this is my problem I should have had a reaction this morning.  Nope.

A quick history.  I've had psoriasis for 60 years but not even one spot the last 4 years since I took (and stopped) Humira for rheumatoid arthritis.  Haven't had a shot in a year and still no psoriasis has recurred.  I have Hashimotos, thyroid disease, the rheumatoid arthritis so have a compromised immune system.  However, this does not explain why when I quit smoking this bloody rash started.

Thoughts?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be pompholyx. 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 symptoms 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). If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[carolo43]

To update, smoked again last night and no blisters again this morning.  This is so odd.