WTF is this rash on my knuckles?

[mamaneedsamojito]

It's spreading by the day! I saw the pharmacist yesterday and told her I'd been putting a weak hydrocortisone cream on it (left over from a previous prescription - cardinal sin, I know). She said to keep up with that for a few days but it's making no difference at all and continuing to spread. It doesn't hurt, just feels a little dry and tight but it looks very angry. Self- diagnosis Plan B was a fungal infection but she didn't think it looked like one 'at the moment'. Help. I really don't want to see the GP over Christmas because getting an appointment is impossible at the best of times.

[mamaneedsamojito]

Anyone?

[Hufflepuffin]

I chuck a bit of anti fungal on anything suspicious looking on my skin

[CoteDAzur]

Someone I know kept putting hydrocortisone on a skin problem until it covered most of his body. Apparently, you are not supposed to put steroids on fungal infection. Dr said she had never seen that large a lesion on someone without immune system deficiency.

[Orangeanddemons]

What nice hands. I'm always jealous of nice hands!

[jobrum]

Sometimes I get psoriasis on my hands that starts as very red lumps before just going dry. Try another pharmacy?

[mamaneedsamojito]

Right, that settles it. I'm switching to Caneston as Dr Google tells me the active ingredient in it is also used for fungal skin infections. Thanks, wise MNers.

Orange you've made my day, thanks. I always think I have wrinkly old lady hands because I'm too lazy busy to moisturise! Just need to rid them of the unsightly red patches now.

[greenhome123]

did the Caneston make it go away? i have somewhat similar rash on my same knuckle and thinking about trying it. I am hoping it is fungal infection and not dermatomyositis, which is autoimmune disease that causes similar rash on knuckles.

[underrugsswept]

I have a rash similar to this and am struggling to get a diagnosis. It's interesting you mention DM because that's exactly what I've been worried about too. I have a rash on several of my knuckles that appears spotty and swollen before settling into a flat rash. I also have redness on my elbows that is sometimes barely visible and other times v red and sore. Steroid creams have made no different. I'm currently waiting for my third set of blood results, this time they tested for auto-immune indicators. What are your symptoms?

[greenhome123]

I am 35 year old white male in good health 5'11 135b lbs. I went to a doctor and he said he didn't think my rash on my knuckle looked like DM, but he ordered me a blood test, and I did have positive ANA screen with ANA Speckled pattern and ANA titer 1:40. My doc said that was just borderline positive result and probably is not DM, but said I could make an appointment with Rheumatologist if my knuckle rash doesn't go away. That was about 6 months ago and it is still there, so I am probably going to get some more blood test and maybe make appointment with Rheumatologist. I am thinking of getting another ANA test, and also a lymes disease test because I have been bitten by ticks several times when traveling and one time had a tick in my scalp that was hard to get out. And, this probably sounds crazy but I'm also am thinking about getting tested for leprosy because when I was traveling in costa rica some friends and I came across a dead armadillo and were looking at it up close and I had nudged it with my shoe. I later found out that armadillos often carry leprosy and can pass it to susceptible people.

[underrugsswept]

Do you have the rash anywhere else? I've heard food allergies can also cause strange rashes so am thinking about trying to cut out gluten and/or lactose if my bloods come back ok. My dermatologist seemed more interested in testing for lupus (rather than DM). I just wish the results would come through, it's been several weeks now which hopefully indicates it isn't anything too serious.

[underrugsswept]

Apparently my bloods are ok.

[Igottherashtoo]

Did any of you ever figure out with this issue is? Three years later and I'm having the exact same issue and no doctor seems to be able to figure it out :(

[dungarvan1]

Same thing here, identical to first post...

[dungarvan1]

I have got this diagnosed by a consultant dermatologist.

Granuloma annulare.

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/granuloma-annulare/symptoms-causes/syc-20351319

[dungarvan1]

ps was told it can generally take 2/3 years to disappear, sometimes quicker,/slower, but is not dangerous.

Sometimes Elocon type cream can work but not always.