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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What To Do For Red Dry Patches On Knuckles?

Hello. Both of my children have red, dry patches on their knuckles. It can be itchy at times, but gets raw also. We have been using antibacterial hand soap and lots of hand sanitizer, plus the cold weather...so I'm wondering if it could just be extreme dry skin? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Mon, 12 May 2014
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

Dry, red, scaly, itchy and at times oozy patches are a common presentation in those who are atopic/allergic. The underlying cause is dry skin as a result of low water retentive capacity of the skin. There is usually a familial history of atopy like rhinitis, asthma, recurrent cold, dry skin etc

Repeated hand washing with soaps/detergents and hand sanitizers etc worsens the condition.

If I was the treating doctor I would have advised a course of an oral antibiotic for a week, to let the oozing and discharge subside. Simultaneously, you could apply a topical steroid + antibiotic ointment, twice daily over the scaly itchy patches.

A good/intensive moisturizer is a must for them because it would keep the skin hydrated and prevent future development of these eczematous patches. Moisturizer should be applied frequently, and after every hand wash.

An OTC antihistamine e.g cetrizine would help symptomatically.

regards
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What To Do For Red Dry Patches On Knuckles?

Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic Dry, red, scaly, itchy and at times oozy patches are a common presentation in those who are atopic/allergic. The underlying cause is dry skin as a result of low water retentive capacity of the skin. There is usually a familial history of atopy like rhinitis, asthma, recurrent cold, dry skin etc Repeated hand washing with soaps/detergents and hand sanitizers etc worsens the condition. If I was the treating doctor I would have advised a course of an oral antibiotic for a week, to let the oozing and discharge subside. Simultaneously, you could apply a topical steroid + antibiotic ointment, twice daily over the scaly itchy patches. A good/intensive moisturizer is a must for them because it would keep the skin hydrated and prevent future development of these eczematous patches. Moisturizer should be applied frequently, and after every hand wash. An OTC antihistamine e.g cetrizine would help symptomatically. regards