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

[ALVORDACHE]

A related discussion, SUBDERMAL BLISTERS was started.

[khrystyna]

A related discussion, Stress was started.

[cliffy7]

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[nurse_lady]

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[angelkay167]

I have a friend that was in Iraq also that came home little bumps that turn in to blisters on his feet and toes. when they pop the seem to hurt the most and spread his has now gotten them on hes hands from dealing with the ones on his feet. They are contaugse he has given it to his daughter. He didnt get them until he had walkede thru the water in Iraq. Hes been to the va and his own doctor and noone knows what they are. he even had them looked at as we were srping to go to Iraq and they didnt know what they are either.

[schtallman]

I am not in the armed services,but I get the same blisters. My docter told me they are stress blistersand that only appear in times of great stress.They usualy appear in people between the ages of twenty to fourty,but this is not a rule as I an fifty four.Any type of water will make them spread.dish washing,showers,sweat...He suggestted to wear rubber gloves in the shower and during cleaning but thats improbable.They just have to run their course.I've learned to get used to them,though the itching and burning sensation can make you crazy.Just know that it isn't catchy or spreadable by any kind of contact,as a matter of fact it means you are more sensetive than other folks.As we speak,I'm going through the worst bought of it I've ever had to the point I've got open sores because of scratching.hope this puts your mind to rest,and thank you for all that you're doing for us over there