What is it?? What can I do?

[Neilster]

I am in need of relief.  I have been dealing with extremely itchy legs and itchy hands for over a year.  I had a baby a year and three months ago.  Since about three months after giving birth, my hands became very itchy with an appearance of a rash on certain fingers.  On the left hand, all four fingers are affected, mainly the ring finger.  On the right hand, only the pinky, ring finger, and side of hand are affected.  I get a few to many bumps that are filled with a clear substance that end up itching uncontrollably once popped/broken.  My fingers tend to be rough regardless of what I do.  In the cold winter months, my fingers crack which worsens the condition, which results in painful hands.  However, my legs are not as bad.  I use lotion consistently after showering, my skin does not tolerate baths well at all.  After shaving is when my legs are the worst.  Once the hair begins to grow back, my legs become very uncomfortable and extremely itchy.  Lotions usually do nothing to soothe my skin.  I am losing sleep at night because I wake up to either my legs itching or my hands itching.  When it's unbearable, I take an anti-histamine to help get through it.  If I do not shave, my legs do not itch nearly as bad.  My legs have been itching since my third month of being pregnant, my doctor told me it was PUPP and it would go away soon after delivery...I did not realize it would last this long.  I am also a few pounds overweight, still trying to lose my pregnancy weight.  I was not able to have a natural birth, I had a cesarean birth instead.  During my pregnancy I had gained 50 pounds, 20 of which was water retention.  I still have about 10 pounds to lose to be back at pre-pregnancy weight.  Six weeks after birth, I had an IUD inserted (Mirena) and two months ago I had it removed.  I am certain my system could not handle it.  I had become depressed, moody, and was unable to lose weight.  I feel much better mentally since having it removed.  However, the itchy hands and itchy legs are still very annoying.  I was hoping that the Mirena had something to do with my itching problem.  Any help would be very much appreciated.  I hope I gave enough details.  If anything additional is necessary, please, let me know.

Thank you, hope you can help

[Neilster]

Hello,
I want to thank you as well for your suggestions.  I did try neosporin and it actually helped a lot on my hands.  I tried putting vasoline on after the neosporin before I went to bed and when I woke up, my hands looked much better.  However, the baby oil...my legs break out with boils and pimples.  My skin is very sensitive and unfortunately, I don't see much hope for the future.  Most of my problems are hereditary and due to financial reasons, I am unable to get to a dermatologist or doctor.  But thank you again!

[Neilster]

Hello,
I want to thank you for all of your suggestions and ideas.  I have been researching to see if any of my symptoms fall under anything you mentioned.  It's times like this that I wish I were a doctor!!  I don't know where to start but your thoughts certainly help.  Thank you very much.  If you have any other ideas, please let me know.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis,but the various possibilities are xerosis or dry skin,dermatitis,psoriasis,lichen simplex chronicus, internal diseases like liver and kidney disorders,diabetes, iron deficiency anemia or irritation and allergic reactions to chemicals,wool,soaps,cosmetics and certain foods.

You can apply an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. Oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl can also be used. You should take a comfortably cool bath and wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. Covering the affected area with bandages and dressings can help protect the skin and prevent scratching. You should choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes and use a mild, unscented laundry detergent when washing clothes, towels and bedding.

Pls take a second opinion from a dermatologist if the symptoms persist. He/She will start with the specific medications. If an internal disease is found, whether it's kidney disease, iron deficiency or a thyroid problem, treating that disease often relieves the itch.Lastly,Phototherapy can also be tried.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[RJ233]

There is another question similiar on the forum that Kindd answered that may help you. You are probably putting your hands in more water and soaps etc with a new baby. That could very well cause the problem with your hands. Try using rubber gloves and get the little white cotten gloves usually comes in a pack to wear under them to keep them dryer. Your can put neosporin on them to help heal them. My skin is very very dry. I have a problem with my legs. I can only use an electric razor. The dermatologist told me to use baby oil on my skin for the dryness. He said lotions don't do that good. Hope this helps you out.