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red bumps on fingers

For the last 20 years I have gotten small red bumps on the sides of my fingers.  They don't blister.  They start out as one or two and then I might get a few more and they seem to cluster up on only the sides of my fingers.  They are not itchy but they are sore to the touch when you run your finger over them.  It feels like you have a splinter.  They are slightly raised and red in color.  They will stay for varying lengths of time and then dry up and go away.  Usually not for more than a couple of weeks.  I may go for months and months and not get them and then all of a sudden they show up.  I have been to various dermatologists over the years and they seem puzzled and never seem to know what they are.
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RAYNAUD'S DISEASE

Is the cause of my red bumps. I get them on my fingers (near upper two joints). They are painful to touch and itchy sometimes. I also get them on my toes.

They are triggered by stress, cold temperatures, hormonal birth control and certain medications.

It is caused by the arteries in my digits being too narrow, causing lack of circulation.

It took me a couple doctors before it was figured out since it can be a secondary issue caused by other disorders (like lupus, RA, and others). Mine is not a secondary issue (where it is called Raynauds phenomenon), it is a primary issue. It is most common in women.

Hope that helps some.

There are meds that can help, and i am going into a specialist who will help me find one. Suppliments like ginko and niacin have been said to help, but I would ask a doc first before starting anything. I took niacin for my toes when i was younger.

I wear socks at all times, and gloves whenever i go outside or feel my hands getting cold, but the breakouts can be severe. =P
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Another test for Sarcoidosis would be a chest x-ray as that is where it is usually starts.  The spots are called Granuloma.
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I have the same problem as all of you.  Red painful spots/rash on hands, feet, etc. I have had this on and off for many years and have never gotten any answers.  I also have MS and on my last visit to my neurologist she suggested that it could be Sarcoidosis.  In my case it is Neurosarcoidosis.  I did my research and I have many of the symptoms.  The treatment is Steroids so that makes sense for those who tried taking steroids and they went away.  There a only a few tests to verify Sarcoidosis.  One is a testing ACE levels (mine was high) and then a biopsy (which I have not gotten the results yet)  I think it is a real possibility.  I hope this information helps at least some of you.  Good Luck!
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I just went to a dermatologist with the same symptoms and was diagnosed with dyshidrotic eczema (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis). Mine never itched, just felt like splinters under my skin. I was told to keep my skin heavily moisturized (I live in Minnesota and it's cold & dry here now), and was prescribed a steroid for outbreaks, although it's super greasy so I have a hard time using it. I can reply with the name of it when I have a moment.
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Avatar universal
i think 'tender bumps' is something related to chemicals.  my daughter cleaned the bathroom floor yesterday with a wet rag using her hands and feet.  both her hands and feet had 'tender bumps' the next day.  the only chemical i am aware of that was on the floor was a little bit of AJAX.  She also simultaneously has several ulcers in her mouth which occurred BEFORE the tender bumps.  she is 14, we are in seattle, wa, it is in the 40's and high moisture (pretty much the same for the past month).  it is fall and hardly any airborne stuff. she also has a sore throat.  she was also a little stressed yesterday due to having to do a lot of chores.
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Avatar universal
OMG, I'm going nuts right now- I have the EXACT same thing on my hands, this particular episode when the little red bumps went away my hands look like I have moles or freckles (just realizing that subconsciously I am under sum extreme STRESS right now) I would like 2 email w/ u all about this so maybe 2gether we can come 2 a consensus about this, it really blows me... ***@**** is my email, I look 4wd 2 hearing 4 u :) ~S.DOT
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