Recurring infection on backs of hands

[Anomalyx]

A few years ago, I scratched my hand while working on my car.  The only thing else that the scratch came in contact with was some brake cleaner fluid.  This scratch turned into a an itchy infection, which starts as just raised red spots, then secretes a yellowish fluid in tiny amounts which hardens on the sore.  From there, the tiny sores gradually grow together to form one giant, dry, itchy, painful, and slightly yellowy-oozy sore which covers the entire back of my right hand.  It also jumped to my left hand, although only ever was able to cover half the hand.  Over-the-counter antibiotics don't seem to work (Neosporin, Bacitracin, store-brand triple antibiotic cream) at all except for providing relief from itching.  I was prescribed a 0.1% Triamcinolone ointment by my doctor, and it worked. As long as I put the ointment on, the infection dies and eventually disappears entirely.  However, no matter how long I use the ointment for, the infection always returns a week or two after stopping. I don't want to be putting a medicated cream on my hands for the rest of my life.  Any suggestions as to either what this might be, or how I can get rid of it for good?

[Anomalyx]

So it has been quite a while since this topic, but I just thought I'd throw in an update to the situation.
I visited a dermatologist, who diagnosed me with atopic dermatitis. In layman's terms, my skin doesn't moisturize itself enough. The dryness makes a topical infection very easy to start. I had been successfully killing the infection over and over again, using home remedies (tea tree oil and topical turmeric both worked) but the dryness and sores stayed, which was a perfect location for another infection. My dermatologist had me do one simple thing: use lotion. For a few weeks, I put Aquanil, a lightweight water-based lotion, on the backs of my hands every time I used soap to wash them. Now, I just put it on at night before going to bed, whenever I can feel a bump starting to form on my hands or if I have a fresh scratch. It always starts to come back, but always heals now, and my hands are 99.9% back to normal, due to nothing but lotion. It would frustrate me that the solution was so simple, but I'm just too glad that it's over with to be frustrated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be contact dermnatitis, infections like impetigo, pompholyx or epidermolysis bullosa. Pompholyx primarily involves the hands and fingers and then may involve the feet. The first stage is acute and presents as itchy blisters on the hands, fingers and toes. Then the chronic stage shows more peeling, cracking, or crusting. Then the skin heals up, or the blistering may start again. The exact cause is not known and excessive sweating can be one of the reasons.

I suggest you to get it examined from a dermatologist. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.