I have had exzema for years now especially bad as child on my hands especially. Doctors prescribed many cortisone forms both topical creams and at one point a cortisone inpregnated tape used to wrap my fingers to lessen the symptoms of cracking and bleeding. I am now 52 and suffer from severe joint pain and swelling in both hands but especially the right one which was always the worst to break out. I literally cannont close the hand some days and just rubbing or bumping a couple of the knuckle joints can almost drop me from pain. I am unable to use this hand very hard for more than one day in a row as the day after hard use it swells and will not allow me to make a fist. did my earlier use of the cortisone (Nearly daily for years at prescription strength) cause damage to the joints of my hand? Is that what causes the symptoms I suffer from? What can I do now to lessen the pain and have more use of the affected finger joints? I HATE that you charge for advice!! I guess I will just have to hurt instead. Remember that NOT ALL who query have money! If I had money or insurance I would see a doctor in person. YOU DO NOT SHOW THAT THIS WILL COST UNTIL WE TRY TO GET HELP. THATS NOT NICE!!