Whats wrong with my hands? Skin condition question...

Forums › Health and fitness › Whats wrong with my hands? Skin condition question...

Finch

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#183775 29-Oct-2015 19:25

Hey guys.

Obviously the internet is somewhat not the best place to look for help on health related issues, but giving this a shot anyway.

My hands have had "Cuts" or something similar for months. My right hand especially has been how it is currently in various forms for over 6 months.

My left hand started 3-4 weeks ago.

I am unsure whats wrong with them. It looks like a skin related problem. My diet, lifestyle etc hasn't changed.

It seems to get worse in the winter, as if the cold weather causes it.

However I have also noticed water can make it look "new" and "shiny". I try to keep my hands out of water as much as possible, but obviously you cant do it all the time. It has been cracked, bleeding, some times even looks like its healing.

I have tried Savlon, and also Aloe-Vera. The Anti Septic seemed to work better, the Aloe Vera would make it all shiny and puff up somewhat. I only have this on my hands, no where else.

I went to the chemist today and asked the pharmacist, she seemed to think it could be a virus, suggested stop using any cream and see what happens.

Male, mid twenties, healthy. Around 175cm tall, 75KG. My diet, lifestyle etc hasnt changed for years.

Imgur Link: https://imgur.com/a/tpKH2

Left hand first, then the right hand. Right is a lot worse and has been around for 6+ months.

Thanks

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#1416367 29-Oct-2015 19:34

I used to have problems with the skin on my hands breaking apart during the middle of winter when the skin is exposed to sudden temperature changes. For me the problem disappeared when I stopped using soap to wash my hands in favour of hand wash.

MikeB4

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#1416385 29-Oct-2015 19:45

Best you see your Doctor, skin conditions can be minor and passing or serious and or systemic.

loceff13

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#1416413 29-Oct-2015 20:11

^^That, especially if it's not healing in a reasonable timeframe.

turnin

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#1416414 29-Oct-2015 20:12

after 6 months its possibly fungal but fairly dry place for fungal, like others have said see a doctor.

Finch

2851 posts

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#1416418 29-Oct-2015 20:12

Thanks for the replies folks.

Cant seem to find anything online because i'm not entirely sure how to word the search. I have tried multiple different search terms, but cant seem to find anything.

Its not a massive problem. It doesn't hurt or anything, its just not pretty to look at that's all.

Finch

2851 posts

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#1416421 29-Oct-2015 20:15

alasta: I used to have problems with the skin on my hands breaking apart during the middle of winter when the skin is exposed to sudden temperature changes. For me the problem disappeared when I stopped using soap to wash my hands in favour of hand wash.

Thanks for the reply. Like you I noticed small tiny cuts on my fingers especially in the winter with the southerly, gets very bad in WGTN.

I have been using hand wash for years. I do wash my hands with cold water, so I should try and wash them with warm/hot in the future.

The 6 months for this thing on my right hand also coincides with the beginning of Autumn, leading into winter.

frankv

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#1416438 29-Oct-2015 20:35

Sounds kindof like Athlete's Foot (except it's on your hands), which is fungal.

One thing that worked for me was Head & Shoulders shampoo. This was suggested by my GP after expensive anti-fungal treatments didn't work.

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wellygary

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#1416448 29-Oct-2015 20:43

MikeB4: Best you see your Doctor, skin conditions can be minor and passing or serious and or systemic.

This, go and see your local GP

if it's fungal or a virus you will likely need prescription drugs to fix it, if your GP doesn't know they can always refer you to a specialist dermatologist...

Lias

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#1416464 29-Oct-2015 20:54

Probably some form of Eczema. See your GP, topical steroids will probably clear it up.

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gbwelly

1243 posts

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#1416467 29-Oct-2015 20:58

Try some zovirax herp cream on it.

Finch

2851 posts

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#1416471 29-Oct-2015 20:59

Lias: Probably some form of Eczema. See your GP, topical steroids will probably clear it up.

I thought it was Eczema as well. However the pharmacist seemed to think it definitely wasn't. Obviously they aren't a doctor though.

I think I will do what the pharmacist suggested, stop putting savlon on, and if its the same/worse on Monday i'll sort out an appointment unless I can work out what it is before hand.

nakedmolerat

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#1416473 29-Oct-2015 21:02

What is interesting is the distribution of those lesions on your hand - it follows certain pattern.

That second picture may well look like a Herpes infection.

See your GP - nobody can diagnose your problem just by looking at those pictures without proper history taking and assessment.

Attempting to solve this by googling keywords is a bad bad bad idea.

There is a reason why doctors spend 6 years at the uni and many many more years on top of that for specialty training!

MrMistofeles

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#1416477 29-Oct-2015 21:12

nakedmolerat: What is interesting is the distribution of those lesions on your hand - it follows certain pattern.

That second picture may well look like a Herpes infection.

See your GP - nobody can diagnose your problem just by looking at those pictures without proper history taking and assessment.

Attempting to solve this by googling keywords is a bad bad bad idea.

There is a reason why doctors spend 6 years at the uni and many many more years on top of that for specialty training!

Yea seeing that I also thought herpes type 1. But yea virus, fungus, contact dermatitis, eczema all have different treatments - see your GP