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Suggest Treatment For Dry Skin On The Hands And Fingers

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Posted on Tue, 4 Jul 2017
Question: Good Afternoon Dr, This is in regards to my 72 year old father ( he is up to date with physicals, tests, etc other than slightly elevated blood pressure which is managed by 1 pill a day he is healthy..no diabetes, gout, etc.. Twice a year for as long as I can remember his hands, fingers, swell, crack, peal, oooze, when taking a shower he will put plastic bags on his hands when he showers as the water makes it worse and burns. his forearms, calves, and feet also have rashes and are swelling, this happens now ( JUNE) and will go away at some point over the summer and come back around sept, oct. Im thinking this may be some type of allergy Thank You XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rudina Balliu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Allergic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear XXXX! Thank you for asking HealthCareMagic.
I have gone through your question and i understand .
Since he has done all the ecaminations and they showd nothing else and
according to what you describe about your father's concern, i think that this could be an allergic reaction of the skin.

Dry skin ( crackes,peal), rashes , swelling that happen certain time of the year and go away make me think about ,yes,allergy.

This condition is called Allergic Contact Dermatitis( so it's a contact dermatitis but allergic) since his symptoms appear only in the skin ( hands , forearm, feets ) allergens come in contact with his skin and cause this skin allergic reaction.

If he has yellow liquid on his skin means that allergy is complicated with an bacterial infection and in this case he needs to use a topical antibiotic( Mupirocin ointment).

He should not use hot water while he has a shower cause makes the symptoms worse, he should use warm /cool water instead.

The treatment in this case consist of :
-Find the allergen with and avoid contact with it ,if you do this the symptoms disappear so you need to find out who is the allergen /allergens.
You can start by being aware when the symptoms get worse , check everything around him that makes the symptoms worse .

Do allergy test ( patch test, a ) in a local clinic.
-medication ( topical steroids , ointments ).

Hope you find my answer helpful.
Let me know if you have any further clarifications, i will be happy to help.
Take Care!
Dr Balliu.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rudina Balliu (1 hour later)
Thank You for the reply and I agree. I'm going to make an appointment with a Allergist/immunologist.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rudina Balliu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
You are welcome!
That would be good.
Take Care!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rudina Balliu

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2015

Answered : 420 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Dry Skin On The Hands And Fingers

Brief Answer: Allergic dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hello Dear XXXX! Thank you for asking HealthCareMagic. I have gone through your question and i understand . Since he has done all the ecaminations and they showd nothing else and according to what you describe about your father's concern, i think that this could be an allergic reaction of the skin. Dry skin ( crackes,peal), rashes , swelling that happen certain time of the year and go away make me think about ,yes,allergy. This condition is called Allergic Contact Dermatitis( so it's a contact dermatitis but allergic) since his symptoms appear only in the skin ( hands , forearm, feets ) allergens come in contact with his skin and cause this skin allergic reaction. If he has yellow liquid on his skin means that allergy is complicated with an bacterial infection and in this case he needs to use a topical antibiotic( Mupirocin ointment). He should not use hot water while he has a shower cause makes the symptoms worse, he should use warm /cool water instead. The treatment in this case consist of : -Find the allergen with and avoid contact with it ,if you do this the symptoms disappear so you need to find out who is the allergen /allergens. You can start by being aware when the symptoms get worse , check everything around him that makes the symptoms worse . Do allergy test ( patch test, a ) in a local clinic. -medication ( topical steroids , ointments ). Hope you find my answer helpful. Let me know if you have any further clarifications, i will be happy to help. Take Care! Dr Balliu.