small, subdermal 'blisters'

[USsolider]

I am stationed in Iraq and have been here for 3.5 months so far.  About 3 weeks after being here, I started getting small bumps on my fingers.  These bumps appear to be tiny blisters under the skin.  I have popped some of them, and a clear liquid comes out. They seem to spread quickly from finger to finger which makes me wonder if it is contagious.  I now have these tiny bumps on my palms and my fingers.  I have a lot of them and they really itch.  The skin around them seems to get soft or changes texture when wet, which also makes it itchy.  I was using hydrogen peroxide on a different wound and some got on one of the tiny blister areas - the area bubbled and caused irritation.

At first I thought it was contracted through the use of community weight lifting equiments, showers, faucets, etc.  But nobody else had them.  Then I thought it might be heat related since I am sweating most of the day.  I still don't know.  I asked the military medicine here and they were skeptical to answer any skin questions.  They told me that they tought it was exsema.  I have had exsema as a child, but haven't had an active period for years.  Plus, my exsema looked nothing like these bumps.  They gave me hydrocortisone 1% cream and that hasn't helped at all.

Two days ago the bumps seemed to have gone away, only to have them come back full force the next day, worse than ever.  The skin around the area seems to have a different appearance/texture although only if one really looks closely.  I wash my hands frequently and use anti-bacterial gel occasionally in hopes that this will help.  It hasn't.

Like I said, I can pop these little blister-looking bumps if I squeeze them, and sometimes when I pop them they actually go away.  I have dealt with these things for the past 3 months and I have another 3 to go before I can see a "real" doctor back in the states.  Please PLEASE help me!  I am afraid to shake peoples' hands in fear that they will get what I have or they will feel these little things.  My wife is also deployed with me and I am afraid to touch her anywhere.  Thank you -

A deployed soldier

[lisaplpn]

The first time I got the blisters they were on the soles of my feet, that was probably 12 yrs ago, then in march of 2009 it happened again, both times the dermatologist said it was dermatitis and gave me a hydrocortisone lotion called aquanil HC, it helped, well now I have developed them on my palms and fingers, not on the back side of my hands at all, the skin is thick over them, they are very tender and itch severly, the lotion is not helping at all this time,and Iam a nurse so I have to ne able to use my hands, I wonder if a round of oral steroids would help.

[ultracasual]

Hello, while cleaning up on a construction site using gloves- I noticed my hands becoming very itchy. The sweat and dirt didn't help much at all. I took a shower that night, and all through the next day my hands were fine. Then the second day I noticed small blisters forming on the sides of my fingers and on the tips. I used nail clippers to pop one of them and it brought relief to that area. A couple more blisters started forming. I have very bad allergies, and have had skin issues in the past, but never with my hands! And not in the last 8 or so years. These things aren't overwhelming, but it is uncomfortable to handle objects and occasionally have "itch spikes" as well as mild burning sensations. Sweat seems to be the culprit as far as symptoms goes. This is important because usually with anxiety comes sweating of the hands. Generally stress can provoke you to become anxious much easier. I have anxiety problems so I usually have sweaty hands regardless. With this condition it really is a bad mix! However, if you are seeking some immediate treatment, keep your hands dry, recognize if you are anxious to prevent hand sweating, and know that frustratingly focusing on anything - including an itching sensation, intensifies it.

[rain356]

A related discussion, Itchy blisters on hands was started.

[southernboy75]

Keep hands and affected areas dry. Anti-persperants help if spayed on affected areas. DO NOT apply poroxide or alchol it will only make matters worse!! Soak areas in luke warm salt water once a day and let air dry quickly. DO NOT USE HOT WATER! A fan will help you dry fast. If you have it on arms or legs take salt water baths and air dry quickly. Try not to handle cleaning supplies and acidic fruit such as lemon/limes/oranges ect.. ok to eat just try not to handle. Hyrocortizone creams work well but if your break out is severe have a doctor give you a shot of steriods it works wonders!! Stress, lack of good sleep and drinking also aggrivate symptoms. I've struggled with this for 16 years. Its not contagious but if you have it on your hands try not to rub your eyes too much. *I believe it causes eye styes.* The blisters contain bacteria and that's what causes styes! Hope you find this helps!

[liz1lzbth]

A related discussion, Hand Blisters was started.

[JnMm]

Had these since early 20's off and on- brought on by stress.  I feel a tingly feeling in my fingers before they erupt, that's when I know I'm in for a week or two of hell.  I use prescription. 2.5% hydrocortisone cream to help with the itchiness barely.  This same cream totally helped with a poison ivy rash, but it barely works on the blister itchiness so you can see how intense these blisters are!  No cure- will have them off and on the rest of my life during stress...cold does help with the ithchiness so an icepack should help.