Hand infected (Warning, gross photos)

[PIPpityDoodah]

I do have another thread on this but I've been on antibiotics since Thursday and it's just getting worse.

It's still hot and new puss filled blisters are appearing.

Shouldn't the antibiotics have kicked in by now?

It's so sore and embarrassing

And now left.

Urgent referral back to dermatology from GP and told to stop steroid cream and have been prescribed tacrolimus cream, whatever that is.

Have you looked up "Fixed drug eruption"? It could be a reaction to oral medication. Are you taking anything?

I took oral canesten and my lips and mouth came up in blisters like this, gradually over two weeks. It was horrific!

I’m just along for the answer I hope you’re going to get.

I saw an article recently about steroid cream withdrawal. Skin is mysterious stuff.

Nothing I've been on consistently since August.

Tacrolimus is an immune system suppressant - in theory it should calm down (in the local area that is your hand(s)) and suppress whatever is causing your skin to breakout like that, whether it's an allergy or some kind of autoimmune response, it should work for both of them.

Best of luck and fingers crossed that it will finally give you some relief. It also has less side effects rich as thinned skin etc that happens with long term use of steroid ointments/creams

Moonlight, thankyou for the explanation :)

No problem, having a very similar skin condition myself, I can be a bit obsessed at times with reading about the different treatment options for eczema/allergic contact dermatitis etc 🙂.

I looked at trying to order some tacrolimus ointment myself at one point, but I can't make my mind up on if I should or not - the steroid ointment does work for me and I guess I worry incase it ends up not being as effective, in my case.

Nothing has really worked for you though, so I think you've got nothing to lose by trying it out at least.

I know people have previously said pompholyx, and assume that’s been ruled out. But just to say - if it is that - I went through periods of that coming and going , mostly on the sides of my fingers and it was really sore and itchy whenever I had an outbreak. I think it was connected to periods of stress. I haven’t had it in ages (though still get on sides of feet, but that is deeper in skin, and less itchy). I didn’t treat mine with anything, so can’t make suggestions. But just offer you hope that it can just stop 🤞

(I used to pop the blisters by scratching , which does provide a bit of relief in short term - but as you know is then bloody painful in itself ! )

Ignore me - I’ve just read all your posts and you know all about pompholyx. Keep the hope though …

I used to get pompolyx really badly but hardly ever now, not for probably 20 years, I wondered if it was my age, I'm in my 60s, mostly seems to be people aged 20 - 45

Little update.

I've been off all steroids for over 2 weeks. Had a rection to tacrolimus cream.

So for the last 2 weeks Ive been doing nothing but apple cider vinegar soaks and using epiderm cream / ointment.

These are my hands as of today.

These were my hands 2 weeks ago before the ACV soaks.

And also I have had blood tests results.

Diabetes test, negative
Coeliacs test, negative.

My thyroid is showing issues still (subclinical hypothyroidism) and I'm having another test in a few weeks to check for TPO antibodies for Hashimotos.

Gosh that looks a lot better.

I’m a fan of minimal intervention myself. Using comfort stuff- salt soaks, oats etc. ACV is interesting. Never considered that.

Do you think the clear up might be related to the weather? I posted before about a similar issue I had, it started to go away with a new steroid cream and moisturiser but since I stopped the cream it's like it was never there and the only thing I can put it down to is the weather getting better.

I don't think so because when its hot it gets so itchy and hot and I have to soak it in ACV

I can't sit in the garden with my hands out because they break out in hives.

Also it started in August when it was very hot.