Help! I did something stupid

[Pligru6th]

Years ago, I bought some of those Italian exfoliating clothes on Amazon after seeing them recommended on here.

For some unknown reason I can't remember now, I used them on my hands. Since then I have had hundreds of microcuts on my fingers which have not healed. I have attached a picture. When my skin is hydrated they are not visible, but will still hurt if I put any kind of cream on them or, god forbid, eat any citrus fruit.

Is there any way to heal them? Will they now be like this forever? I think it has been 2, if not 3 or 4, years.

Any advice very welcome

That looks very painful, what does your gp say? I have eczema and it's looked like that on occasion, eumovate is an over the counter steroid cream, but I'd check with the gp first, I buy it because I've previously been prescribed it, I wouldn't go straight in. I assume you use aqueous cream or something to moisturise?

You could also try something like lanolin and then sleep in cotton gloves.

I think you need to see the doctor if it's been that long op :(

It seems so obvious to see the GP but it hadn't occured to me that there was anything medical that could be done. I also imagined it wouldn't be a priority as it's more just an annoyance and my own fault (I have severe iron deficiency and they are barely interested in that as it is!)

But you are right, I should. I have just been using O'Keefe's working hands to keep it bareable.

What are italian exfoliating clothes?

Meant to say exfoliating cloths, not clothes!

I see! Was very confused 😁

I don't see how exfoliating once has made your hands cracked for years. That doesn't seem to make sense to me, unless it's triggered some sort of skin condition. It looks like dry skin to me, but I can't see the detail very well on that photo. I have very dry hands as I wash my hands a lot at work and have to use alcohol gel. They do sting if they are dry or inflamed - and cracked hands are usually due to being dry.
For skin issues, your diet can really make a big difference, as can steroid creams and regular moisturising. You can also use moisturiser as an emollient instead of hand wash - which can really help stop them drying out.

Otherwise though, I'd see your GP in case it is a skin condition or some sort of infection such as fungal or something?

OP your skin will have renewed itself multiple times in that period. I don't know what is causing the cracked, dry skin but I can't see how it can have been the exfoliating cloths. You should see a doctor.

as it's more just an annoyance and my own fault (I have severe iron deficiency and they are barely interested in that as it is!)

Even if the exfoliating cloths were the cause, this is not your fault. Presumably these were facial cloths which you'd expect to be gentle enough to use on your face, which is more sensitive than your hands. If they have somehow caused this reaction on you that's incredibly bad luck but it's not anything which could reasonably be expected.

Agree on using eumovate. Try it for a week and then see the GP if it doesn't help.

Or chat to local pharmacist? Our local pharmacist was dead on with diagnosis for me with a skin condition

do you inject b12? looks like the dry skin that is associated with low b12 and pernicious anaemia connected with your low iron??

I'd suggest that your iron deficiency might be causing this skin issue and you need prescription strength cream to heal not simply to moisturise

I'd pop in to your local pharmacy tmw, if the pharmacist is free they may well be able to see what it is and recommend treatment. Way quicker than going to your GP!

Agree with this.

Caveat that I am not a medical professional but... is that really likely to have been caused by one exfoliating cloth alone? I have ripped the skin off my hands so many times doing sport, and I'm guessing lots of manual workers have too. I think you could have an underlying condition.

Try lanshioh nipple cream

miracle worker that stuff

if it doesn’t work see a GP

I use eumovate on my hands occasionally for hand eczema but I have to get it on prescription from the GP. Can’t get it over the counter from a chemist

But what are Italian exfoliating cloths? I googled it but only wash mitts came up, nothing abrasive.

I use an over the counter steroid cream on skin irritations and it works wonders. Try this!

When I have bouts of (painfully) dry hands I apply Sudocrem all over them just before bed, then use an emollient like Epaderm during the day. It always works for me, although sometimes have to do it a few nights in a row to get them totally back to normal. As others have said Eumovate would help too, but I try to manage mine without steroid cream as skin can get used to it and then risk of getting into a cycle. Good luck xx

It won't be the cloths, your skin cells shed and are replaced regularly, particularly in high use areas like your hands.

My hands go like this periodically - very dry, itchy, tiny cuts and splits. For me its allergic dermatitis as a result of a contact allergy (on this occasion it turned out to be a new antibacterial soap and washing my hands excessively over a few days when my son had a stomach bug)

I had a particularly bad flare up a few weeks ago, sent pictures to my GP with an online consultation and had a prescription for various lotions and potions sorted within a couple of hours.

For the life of me, I couldn't imagine why anyone would be wearing exfoliating clothes!

Hear me out - lanolin nipple cream (Lanisoh) apply to your hands overnights and wear gloves (or cotton socks) on your hands. It’s amazing on dry skin, cracked lips etc.

There are Facebook groups that give information on b12 and iron deficiency.