peelinghands
01-14-2007, 01:12 AM
I'm now starting into my third attack (over two years) of an odd, painless, dermal condition which I cannot get a diagnosis or direction on. The condition is as follows:
Initially, a very few (< 10) very tiny little circles of dry skin appear on my hands and feet - usually in the palm, and up the fingers, or on the soles and edges of soles of my feet. They are scattered about a bit, but more often are slightly grouped. The balls of my hands become very slightly itchy and slightly redden. Within a week or so, these broaden and begin to turn into dry flakes which I can pick at and peel off. Eventually, after a few weeks, the insides of my both entire hands will have flaked and peeled off. Then the condition disappears and doesn't return for a long time. The entire condition is only manifested on the inside of my hands, and never appears on the back. There is no real pain or discomfort with it, other than in the first week or two when the balls of my hands are just a little itchy.
I shouldn't complain, it's a very benign condition - but it's a little embarrassing shaking hands with people, with these dry and flaky hands and all this skin quite visibly peeling off. And of course I tend to pick at the skin and that's annoying for me and others.
I've been to two dermatologists about this, and in both cases the response was the same - "We have no idea what this is". They've twice tested for a fungal infection, scraping samples and doing microscopy, but both said there's no evidence of any fungus.
Any ideas?
Initially, a very few (< 10) very tiny little circles of dry skin appear on my hands and feet - usually in the palm, and up the fingers, or on the soles and edges of soles of my feet. They are scattered about a bit, but more often are slightly grouped. The balls of my hands become very slightly itchy and slightly redden. Within a week or so, these broaden and begin to turn into dry flakes which I can pick at and peel off. Eventually, after a few weeks, the insides of my both entire hands will have flaked and peeled off. Then the condition disappears and doesn't return for a long time. The entire condition is only manifested on the inside of my hands, and never appears on the back. There is no real pain or discomfort with it, other than in the first week or two when the balls of my hands are just a little itchy.
I shouldn't complain, it's a very benign condition - but it's a little embarrassing shaking hands with people, with these dry and flaky hands and all this skin quite visibly peeling off. And of course I tend to pick at the skin and that's annoying for me and others.
I've been to two dermatologists about this, and in both cases the response was the same - "We have no idea what this is". They've twice tested for a fungal infection, scraping samples and doing microscopy, but both said there's no evidence of any fungus.
Any ideas?
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hollynbaby
04-09-2007, 11:20 PM
I may have a simular problem. Question--do you have red spots all over the peeling areas as well?
duzford
04-10-2007, 09:57 AM
I have the same thing too!! With the red spots. Never figured it out. Mom had it and Biotin worked for her. I tried Biotin and it made it worse!
So you have no answers but at least you are not alone.
So you have no answers but at least you are not alone.
peelinghands
05-23-2007, 08:18 PM
Question--do you have red spots all over the peeling areas as well?
No, I don't. The area of skin around the peeling on the balls of my hands does become a little redder, and that's where it itches.
No, I don't. The area of skin around the peeling on the balls of my hands does become a little redder, and that's where it itches.
amanda85
05-25-2007, 03:14 AM
I have this, and my doctor has said it's a stress related exhema (spelling?)
I put some dermaid or something aimed at relieving exhema and it usually goes away after a while. I get it quite often (I'm a big stress head)
Does yours on your fingers go a bit numb sometimes?
I put some dermaid or something aimed at relieving exhema and it usually goes away after a while. I get it quite often (I'm a big stress head)
Does yours on your fingers go a bit numb sometimes?
pommpy
06-24-2007, 11:50 AM
Sounds like pompholyx. Form of dermatitis affecting hands and feet. It can be caused by weather, allergy, stress or an idopathic reaction to a fungal infection. I get it on my hand and on fingers (mild case) and it starts off as tiny little blister (sometimes deep rooted) like bumps and them peels and flakes in a large circle. Mine usually starts in spring and can completely go or return. I think mine is either stress and/or allergy related as everytime it goes and I put my watch and bracelet back on it returns. Strange and annoying!!!!!
Skimom3
06-28-2007, 11:38 PM
My fingers have also been peeling. Mostly it involves my right hand. However, for the first time, I have peeling on my left index finger and the tip of my ring finger. I notice that it coincides with when I play tennis or golf. A dermatologist thinks I have an allgery to the rubber grips on my golf clubs and tennis racquet. This is an interesting possibility because I wear a glove on my left hand for golf. I play tennis on a clay court and I am wondering if it is the pesticides on the courts (and the golf courses) that is causing the problem.
valeriec17
08-14-2007, 02:34 PM
I thought I was a freak of nature because I had to hide my hands and feet every 6-12 months to keep people from seeing that I was "molting". I'm sorry to hear that others have to deal with this too, but glad to hear that I'm not alone. However, after looking up pompholxy, I don't think that's an accurate description. Pophloxy seems to start with actual blisters and looks as if it can be destructive and painful.
Mine starts with itching, then about a week later, very small, dry circles (like dry, empty blisters) that, when pulled, can turn into a small sheet of skin. It's peels like a sunburn, but the layers of skin are much thicker. It's completely painless except that the skin revealed can be tender. It almost always happens on my hands and feet at the same time and makes me want to wear gloves in the summer.
Since it's basically just a nuisance I've never asked my doctor about it, but if anyone can give me the name for this, I'd be grateful.
Mine starts with itching, then about a week later, very small, dry circles (like dry, empty blisters) that, when pulled, can turn into a small sheet of skin. It's peels like a sunburn, but the layers of skin are much thicker. It's completely painless except that the skin revealed can be tender. It almost always happens on my hands and feet at the same time and makes me want to wear gloves in the summer.
Since it's basically just a nuisance I've never asked my doctor about it, but if anyone can give me the name for this, I'd be grateful.