Help diagnose my hands (photo)

[9thFloorNightmare]

Posting here for traffic

I started notice my hand is swelling and getting itchy in mid December. No bumps or rashes or fluid but some red spots too.

No pain and normal movements.

It got more uncomfortable so I got a GP telephone appt last week - sent some pics and they don’t know what it could be but prescribed antibiotics and a cream.

Advised that if does not get better within 2 weeks to try and see a doctor in person but I don’t want to wait that long.
My daughter said the difference between both hands are shocking.

I’m not using any new products and the symptoms are on my hand only.

Don’t wanna go anywhere without gloves - getting scared.

Any ideas?

I would not want to offer an opinion on what could be wrong. It is hard to say how bad the swelling is, as there is nothing to compare it with. Are you able to go to a walk in on Monday morning, if you are really worried?

Although the photos are not the best maybe it is useful to compare now. The rings used to fit fine. Look how it fits in the other hand.
To me the difference does not seem massive but the discomfort is.

No walk ins. I will have to call 8am in the morning to see if there is a appt slot available.

No one can tell you without seeing a doctor. However, my brother and one of my workers share a medical diagnosis. It is gout. They both have inflammatory signs on their fingers and they look like your photo. Can I suggest leaving all rings off your fingers until you see a doctor. It can impact circulation with the swelling. I had a finger infection once and the nurse had to pull off a ring with considerable force. It was ouch, double ouch and I don't wear any rings now. Also suggest removing nail varnish ahead of any doctor appointment. It will allow inspection of nail bed for circulation issues.

If it’s localized to one hand and itchy, could it be some kind of allergic reaction? Is there something that hand comes in contact with that the other doesn’t?

Are there specific raised areas or spots, or is the swelling more generalized? It’s hard to see from the picture.

Looks like it might be chilblains - I have them on my fingers too (just one hand) and both feet during the winter:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/chilblains/

According to my doctor, lots of people who have had covid recently have been coming in with chilblains on their hands and feet so might be worth doing a test. Hope you feel better soon!

Could it be chilblains?

Also, have you done a Covid test lately? There is a thing called Covid fingers - chilblains related to Covid apparently.

no rings at the moment, this was just to demonstrate how swallen it is

the nail varnish is shellac - hard to remove at home - can’t go to a nail bar like this;(

never heard of chilblains - will research

the only time I had covid was in 2020 and no health problems since

better photos @PriOn1

Poor you, it looks awful.

Could it be cellulitis? But then, antibiotics should sort that. I also wondered about gout.

What are the green spots, are they unrelated?

chilbains are very itchy.

dc have been having them on feet after being out on the sportsfield.

doesn't need to be freezing, up to 10 degrees exposed is low enough.
trearment is keeping fingers/feet warm.
vaseline after washing helps the itch.

Looks like chilblains to me. I've got them on my toes atm. First time since I was a kid.

Stop using all hand washes especially anti bac, use a plain bar of soap and see if there's a difference. Use antihistamine cream on the itchy bits.

unrelated - an old tattoo that I tried to remove with lazer but a little green remained and I haven’t been back to the clinic for more treatments.

Sorry! I too had a tattoo removed prior to the pandemic and I’m left with just a green bit. I keep meaning to go back as it looks like a bruise.

I think they look like chilblains also.The fact that they are itchy also would point to that being the diagnosis.I've had them on my feet as a child , painful but itchy. I would still get it checked out though.

Did you get your nails done just before Christmas? A skin infection or reaction could come from a tiny injury whilst filing or trimming cuticles.

It's definitely a good idea to be seen in person sooner rather than later, especially as it's been a month already.

Another vote for chilblains!

Sorry, if you already know this, but for removing the polish, it’s not that hard at home. Just file off the top layer, buy 100% acetone, can get it from any chemist, or from Amazon. Soak cotton wool in acetone and leave it on fingers wrapped in aluminum foil for 20 minutes and then push off with an orange stick. Repeat as necessary until all gone. I’d do this I think as it might be best to get everything off that hand and so to see if any issues with any of the nails. Did it happen soon after the last time you had it done?

Pretty confident these are chilblains! They are textbook.

They look like chillblains to me as well but I'm not a doctor.

If they are chillblains the best way to stop them coming up I've found is to avoid going from very cold fingers and toes to very hot. For example I get them if I come straight in from the very cold outside and wash my hands with hot water or jump in a warm shower when my feet are really cold for example.

I had the nails done on 03/01 but the fingers didn’t look that bad but I was already struggling to wear my rings and managed to with the help of a moisturiser - I take my rings off at home as a habit - I thought I was gaining weight lol - it was slightely itchy sometimes but no redness or spots yet -

Looks and sounds like chilblains. Makes you feel prickly and itchy. They are caused by being cold then warming up too quickly, causing the blood vessels to be aggrevated.

I'd say its Raynauds, which i have and tbh your hands look exactly like mine atm!!.. the itchyness fits too (especially if they itch when they get hot)

I've had to cut my rings off in the past after they got particularly cold one day and became inflamed overnight.

Basically Raynauds is the next step up from Chilblains.

I'd lay money on chilblains. Antibiotics will have no effect as it's circulation and the cold.