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What Causes Recurrent Itchy Rashes On Hands?

Posted on Sat, 13 Sep 2014

Question: Hi, i keep getting a rash on my hands. Localised mainly on my fingers but sometimes down either side of my hand below my little finger and thumb. It is always an itch that i notice first and realise there is a small lump visable... the itch conitnues and I cannot leave it even with creams gloves hot cold ... still itches ... gets worse and often grows in size and number of lumps ... never larger than a few mm's but might start like a pin prick... I have noticed that they tend to be grouped as well ... in a ring. These lumps will last for a fewdays at a time and might have nothing for a while other times they can stay for upto about a month with the same constant itch and suddenly nothing... I can make my fingers bleed with the scratching and irritation. So far I have had little to no helpfrom my GP's they show little interest and best I have been given is hives or i am allergic to something ... but if so what they will not test and I can't seem to pin point it.

Answered by Dr. Behar Greca (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tinea manuum...

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for posting!

I have gone through your query and I understand your concerns.

I think that all of your symptoms are caused by Tinea manuum. It is a fungal infection of the hands. Tinea manuum causes itching, scaling and scratching.

To treat this condition you should take oral anti fungal medications such as Lamisil, and use Clotrimazole cream. To relieve itching you can take antihistamine medications such as Cetirizine.

But before starting the treatment you need a physical examination and a skin culture in order to confirm the diagnosis.

You should also contact your dermatologist to discuss about the treatment.

Ask me for anything unclear.

Wish you good health.
Dr. Behar.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Behar Greca (11 hours later)

Thanks - I will book another appointment on Monday and hopefully get to the bottom of it ... how would I get something like this? I assume it is not contagious as it is very localised on me and no one else has ever picked it up not even my husband. Or have I just been lucky ... I have had it on and off for about 4 years now

Answered by Dr. Behar Greca (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is a contagious fungal skin infection...

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing back.

Tinea manuum is a contagious fungal skin infection. It is spread by skin to skin contact or indirectly. Tinea manuum can be caught from humans and animals, especially from cats and dogs.

All people can be affected from such skin infections, but it lasts only for a while in people with high immune system and it lasts for a long period of time in people with low immune system.

In order to treat this condition properly the treatment must be taken for 4-8 weeks.

If you don't need any further clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

All the best.
Dr. Behar.

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. Ashwin Bhandari