Is this Eczema or something else (pic included)

[BertieDrapper]

I've had this unbearable itch and flaky skin in the palm of my hand for some time (maybe a year or so)
Every now and then it flares up a bit, the skin splits, heals and rights itself. The itch is constant though.

But now it seems be getting worse. I've always assumed it's eczema. My brother has chronic eczema and my daughters had it. But when I showed my brother he didn't think it was as it's not on the joint but it is where my thumb joins my hand so the skin gets creased quite a bit if that makes sense.

I went to the pharmacy today to see if they have anything over the counter for it but he said to see my GP for an antibiotic steroid cream so will do that tomorrow....
I also get similar itching in my inner ear....

Ouch! Could it be a form of dermatitis? Or an allergy to something like handwash?
I would be seeing a GP, as it could get infected with the open wounds

I have a very similar thing, the itching!!!

Mine is dyshdrotic eczema (notoriously hard to get rid of). Overuse of steroid creams has thinned the skin so it takes ages to heal.

Whatever routine you follow, you have to be religious. Hitting a flare up with a very small amount of steroid cream can bring it down quickly. Then apply lots of moisturiser. My preferred one is Hydromol Intensive every fifteen minutes (setting a timer!) for a couple of hours then as and when. A mixture of Eumovate and Diprobase also works well.

For the itching, I have found that honey helps, it rinses off easily.

I sometimes rub epsom salts with the honey when the itching is driving me nuts, it's a good distraction, I'm not sure that's good advice though! The other thing that helps the itching seems to be a low histamine diet.

I've never used steroid cream on it... as it's on my hand it's very hard to clean/dry and I work with wood all day so my hands either have sawdust or paint on them! Which obvs isn't helping at all.

The skin is broken so much, it's so uncomfortable! And moisturiser blimming stings!

I had very sore bleeding skin on the palm of my hands and the joints of my fingers, it started when I was working with newspapers all day, so they'd dry out and get sore, I put up with it for years applying Vaseline and then plasters on top to seal in the moisture, then the doctor suggested Aveno which helped but didn't heal it, when I had my son I had had enough (not sure why I put up with it so long) and went back to the doctors, the constant nappy changing and bottle making really made it worse due to the constant hand washing! Anyway long story short I was prescribed this, it went within days, I still get it if I use products without gloves, or liquid hand soap and various other strong substances.

I was also told to really push it under the finger nails etc as to really kill the fungus!

@BusterGonad umm my DH just bought some of that in a powder for a fungal infection... might try and steal some. Thx

Looks a bit like contact dermatitis but impossible to say from a photograph. Get a GP to look at it and stop guessing.

It’s an unlikely place for a fungal infection which prefer warmth and moist environments - skin creases notably.

@CherryPavlova I don't think it's just a fungal treatment, i think it's belt and braces as it has steroid in too. I working with news papers (very drying) but it healed my skin. Don't knock it until you've tried it! It was/is a miracle cream for me.

GP. Or at least ask a pharmacist. If your skin is broken you’re at real risk of infection.

You can buy steroid cream without anti fungal content. Reduces risk to society of resistance. Better to buy what is actually needed than just throw everything at it.

@CherryPavlova yes I know that but I'm suggesting a treatment that the doctor prescribed for my bleeding, dry sore hands, as the op also has bleeding, dry sore hands. I really don't think I'm being unreasonable in doing so.

I went to the pharmacy today to see if they have anything over the counter for it but he said to see my GP for an antibiotic steroid cream so will do that tomorrow....

End of thread.

Seriously though OP, I’d smother it in hydrocortisone now and see if you can get in to see doc ASAP.

It sounds like contact dermatitis due to your job. It doesn't really matter if it's eczema or dermatitis as the treatment will be the same. It'll need to be covered during work while it's healing and you may need a long term solution to protect your skin while you are working.

Managed to get an appointment this morning. Prescribe antibiotic steroid... but as per usual pharmacy don't have it so have to wait for it to be ordered!

I guess the reason I came on and asked is because so many skin ailments get diagnosed as "eczema" but they aren't! GPs are quick to hand out steroids etc which I don't mind using short term but long term it's not ideal.
I was literally in with the GP for all of a minute. I'll use the prescribe cream but I'm thinking long term as well... how to prevent it getting like this. But we will see
Thanks all x