hands

[fran_herr]

What are small blisters on hand that itch?

[purpledragonfly]

I have had the blister/peeling on my hands off and on for the last 30 years of my life.  I was finally diagnosed with dishydrosis.  It CAN be linked to thyroid issues.  Quite honestly, I have gotten so good at just accepting this as a part of my life, that I haven't really paid much attention to what happens as far as the 'cause' because apparently there are several things that can bring it on - stress, exposure to allergens, even being sick- it's even been linked to autoimmune disorders.  However, the best luck I've had in treating it is keeping my hands out of water as much as possible (doing dishes, cleaning, etc., etc.), getting sun (especially on my hands) and moisturizing like mad.  I use petroleum jelly religiously.  Sometimes I combine it in equal parts with coconut oil.  This seems to help immensely!  I have heard it said that petroleum jelly is bad for your skin, but the opposite is true.  Ten  years ago I had a serious breakout of weeping eczema.  The ONLY thing that helped was petroleum jelly (as advised by my dermatologist).   Then about 3 years ago I fell and had a bad injury on my shin which got infected and I had to go to the 'wound clinic'.  At the wound clinic they told me that I would have to quit using petroleum jelly around my wound - not because it wasn't good for my skin, but because it actually becomes part of your skin and my bandages wouldn't stay on.   The Doc that I saw there told me that they are actually doing studies on petroleum jelly because it helps to keep your skin from thinning.  Which is a big problem with skin diseases, aging, and diabetes.  

Using petroleum really isn't very pleasant to start with - mostly because it's like axle grease!  but once you get used to it - there is nothing like it.  Mix it with coconut oil and if you use it on your really dry spots (besides your poor hands) and you won't believe what it will do for your skin.  I literally use this for lotion, facial moisturizer, everything.  I'm 50 and people are amazed by my skin because I live in the Desert Southwest and it's hard to keep your skin moist.  I also have not had more than a couple of bouts of the blisters on my hands since using the coconut oil combined with the petroleum jelly.

[Coco209]

Wow.......In my 10 months of awaiting a diagnosis, any diagnosis, I started getting these blisters in between my fingers on my right hand.  I have NEVER had any type of dermatitis issues in my 44 years of life.....sundurn and poison oak is all.

From day 1, I always questioned my thyroid but simple blood tests and not the correct imaging failed to pick anything up.  Now, it appears I do have nodules and everything is beginning to make sense.

I've just been treating them with cortisone but are they connected to some thyroid thing??? Interesting......very interesting.

[Cindy40]

My young daughter has had problems with blisters that itch on her hands.  The doctors have never really been able to diagnose, but suspect a strep virus.  Appearently strep can stay in your system and appear in different spots.  

She is never sick with it-just the blisters.  They said that to confirm you could have a culture when she is broke out.

[onepalm]

I posted, but wasn't finished...
What I was saying: My condition was most like maebelle's. I have been looking around for information and connections within the body. I found another group of "peeling finger tips" with blister like symptoms (exactly like mine). There were a number of possible diagnosis'. But the common marker points to thyroid, for me, at least enough to take the test. Thanks your post gives me hope for some relief.
I will update progress in hopes this may help someone like me looking for answers.

[onepalm]

Thanks for your input!
I responded above and several weeks later I am still dealing with my fingers. I think my "breakout" may be diffent from those above but most Maebelle's. Before, I was treating for fungal infection but now the dry blisters have returned as if the meds didn't matter. It continues to return almost continually. I have been careful about prouct I am I'm contact with have besn using gloves with chemicals. I believe it is not fungal, but hormonal. I am going to get my thyroid tested! I have so many symtoms and both parents recently tested positive for hypothyroid. related although i have found comfort that this is not only me. I found another person confirming the blister/thyroid connection

[Maebelle]

My doctor told me those blisters (in my case) were due to the change in my Synthroid dose (upped it from 125 to 137) and that the blisters and peeling they led to would resolve as soon as my body adjusted to the new dosage.

The amazing thing about this is that I've been a Synthroid taker for over 20 years and I remained on the same dosage for almost as many years.  Then, all of a sudden, my thyroid went haywire (thyroiditis) and the docs started monkeying around with my dosage.  That was when I began to notice I'd get those blisters (along with itty bitty little red spots, which led to peeling near them).  For years, doctors treated me for fungus and the treatments never worked but the places would eventually go away.  Now I know why.  This new doctor I have rocks, I tell ya!  He is sooooooooo smart it is unbelievable!

Anyway, hope this helps someone.

[IKare]

I also have similar blister around my fingers once awhile. I have no idea what is that and what caused it. I tried cortison over the blisters, but it doesn't help solving the problem. Does any of you who has hypothyroidism have the same problem?

[Ree4tu]

I had small blisters on my legs that itched and I think it was a fungal infection, but never confirmed by a doctor.  They just suddenly appeared one day and disappeared by themselves without treatment. Just be careful not to scratch them open because that's how it spreads. I imagine it would be more difficult not to spread the infection in your case because it's on your hands and you use your hands for everything, so treatment would probably be necessary. Maybe a good dermatologist or your family doc. can help because it usually takes too long to get in to see a dermatologist.

[onepalm]

Hi, I have had a similar problem with my hands over the past 4 years (searching for answers led me to your question). Although the itching has not really been a problem, it was a question I was asked by the doctors and it has been diagnosed 3 times as a fungal infection, similar to athlete's foot. I was given a topical anti-fungal cream, which can also be purchased over the counter check out Lotrimin, Neosporin AF or any of the like, you can see if these help. Best to apply when you won't be touching stuff (sleeping) since it wears off. The creams seemed to help initially, but for my last diagnosis I requested a pill form. But it is seems to be reoccuring and I am a hairdresser.
Now, I am limiting my use of certain products which I think could be setting off an allergic reaction. So far so good, but I will slowly introduce shampoos and conditioners back in to see if I can nab the culprit. I am trying to notice if there is a hormonal link? Anyways, just some ideas from some similar and personal experience, which is less expensive than going to the Doc.