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What Causes Swollen Painful Hands And Red Spots On Hands?
Question: Doctor, I'm 38 male who after a weekend camping and swimming in the ocean in Westport, MA the skin on my hands became tight with some swelling particularly near my cuticles, painful, with little red spots underneath the surface of the skin on the underside of my hands. Now the spots have moved to my feet and the side and top of some of my fingers but more on the surface of my skin as bumps. Some are showing up on my upper cheeks and around my nose. I reside in western MA where Lyme is prevailent too. Some children of friends we know in the area have had hand, foot and mouth disease recently.
Brief Answer:
Strongly suspecting HFM disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help.
Based on the provided description and the added fact that some children have had HFM (hand, foot and mouth disease), it is quite likely that you are developing the same. Although this viral infection starts with a fever and then the appearance of a rash (red spots which can then turn into blisters). You have not reported a temperature, but I would request you to report to a doctor at the earliest. I understand you are out camping, but this is a situation which warrants medical attention and I would request you to cut the camping trip short.
I also understand you are out camping and it might be difficult, but please try to take some images of the affected region and attach them to our discussion so I can have a look at the rash. I would also like to ask if you have developed and lesions in your mouth/oral cavity?
Once your symptoms worsen (which is the course of the infection) you will require medical attention for symptomatic relief. Please also make sure you keep yourself away from the other campers for their sake.
I hope you find my response helpful and in time to make a decision and move to a medical facility. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Strongly suspecting HFM disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help.
Based on the provided description and the added fact that some children have had HFM (hand, foot and mouth disease), it is quite likely that you are developing the same. Although this viral infection starts with a fever and then the appearance of a rash (red spots which can then turn into blisters). You have not reported a temperature, but I would request you to report to a doctor at the earliest. I understand you are out camping, but this is a situation which warrants medical attention and I would request you to cut the camping trip short.
I also understand you are out camping and it might be difficult, but please try to take some images of the affected region and attach them to our discussion so I can have a look at the rash. I would also like to ask if you have developed and lesions in your mouth/oral cavity?
Once your symptoms worsen (which is the course of the infection) you will require medical attention for symptomatic relief. Please also make sure you keep yourself away from the other campers for their sake.
I hope you find my response helpful and in time to make a decision and move to a medical facility. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No real sores near my mouth, but around my upper cheeks and nose as indicated in the photo uploaded. I did have a sore throat that began at the same time as these symptoms. I did not have access to a thermometer to take my temperature, but did feel hot being exposed to the sun and shade this warm weekend. I may have had a fever, but couldn't tell. I was a bit Saturday, but thought it was soreness from my paddling on the ocean. I uploaded some pictures of the bumps and spots.
Brief Answer:
Typically resemble HFM disease sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
I have gone through the attached images sir, the rash does seem similar to what is typically seen with HFM disease, but you understand how only a physical examination is always considered the best form of examination.
But based on the description, images and location of the red spots it does seem to me like a case of HFM. Please visit a medical facility at your earliest convenience as complications of HFM disease are most undesirable.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Typically resemble HFM disease sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
I have gone through the attached images sir, the rash does seem similar to what is typically seen with HFM disease, but you understand how only a physical examination is always considered the best form of examination.
But based on the description, images and location of the red spots it does seem to me like a case of HFM. Please visit a medical facility at your earliest convenience as complications of HFM disease are most undesirable.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How communicable is HFM? I work at a year round high school with 16-18ur olds. When would it be safer to return? Precsutions i and othets can take for a virus?
Brief Answer:
All queries addressed sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
It is quite communicable and can easily be transmitted, especially during the first week of the infection (which is the phase you are currently in). It transmits mainly through the oral secretions and the air droplets you breathe out, but it can also be transmitted from the skin through direct contact (once the red spots turn into blisters are erupt), through your feces, etc.
The only precautions you can take is to cover yourself adequately to ensure you do not expose any part of the rash, wash your hands frequently, and avoid being in the company of people for a while.
I say it would be safe to return back to the company of people and work in about 5-7 days after the complete disappearance of your symptoms. I hope I have explained things in manner best understood by you sir. Please feel free to communicate any other concerns of yours.
Best wishes.
All queries addressed sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
It is quite communicable and can easily be transmitted, especially during the first week of the infection (which is the phase you are currently in). It transmits mainly through the oral secretions and the air droplets you breathe out, but it can also be transmitted from the skin through direct contact (once the red spots turn into blisters are erupt), through your feces, etc.
The only precautions you can take is to cover yourself adequately to ensure you do not expose any part of the rash, wash your hands frequently, and avoid being in the company of people for a while.
I say it would be safe to return back to the company of people and work in about 5-7 days after the complete disappearance of your symptoms. I hope I have explained things in manner best understood by you sir. Please feel free to communicate any other concerns of yours.
Best wishes.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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