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Dermatitis/Eczema on hands

44 replies

loosingmymind99 · 30/05/2021 11:50

Hi all
The last few weeks I've started getting little blisters on my fingers, seen the Gp twice on oral antibiotics and steroid cream. But the blisters have started spreading to both palms in my hands now Confused.
Taking the tablets, applying steroid cream and moisturising regularly, I've been wearing cotton gloves to bed, and rubber gloves when cleaning etc.
They itch awful at night and are keeping me up. I've even started to take an antihistamine before bed with no success
Any idea what I could use to help or what it even is? Gp just giving creams but it's getting worse. Any advice would be greatly appreciated I just want a decent nights sleep and for it to stop spreading thank you

Dermatitis/Eczema on hands
Dermatitis/Eczema on hands
OP posts:
Shellingbynight · 01/06/2021 14:57

Hi again OP. I am not really surprised at your GP's response, they tend to be pretty hopeless with skin conditions.

But on the plus side, regardless of the diagnosis, Betnovate should certainly help. It's not as strong as Dermovate but it's a good option. I was prescribed Betnovate for childhood eczema and it worked well.

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 01/06/2021 21:56

Contact dermatitis, that old generic nonsense

Use the betnovate, hopefully it will ease it. Avoid obvious things such as washing up liquid and (awkward) hand sanitiser

Keep your hands moisturised - you can buy doublebase etc online or from boots

Prevention really is key - as soon as you get a little blister cluster get the steroid cream on it for at least a week

guessmyusername · 01/06/2021 22:32

I have had something similar since I was a child. It was diagnosed as contact dermatitis and I was prescribed betnovate. I found it didn't really help. My triggers are perfumed soaps, certain detergents and washing powders. Ariel is the worst. I hate changing any products. I find the most effective treatment is to take an antihistamine as soon as the itch starts or as soon as the first blister appears

loosingmymind99 · 01/06/2021 23:08

I honestly feel for you all who have suffered long term with this issue. It's only been a couple of months for me and it's really getting me down. I haven't changed any products I keep to the usual because my skin is a bit sensitive. Im wondering if I've just recently developed and allergy to something. Going to ask Occ health if they will do a patch test
Here's hoping the betnovate helps for me too Smile

OP posts:
loosingmymind99 · 01/06/2021 23:11

Oh my mistake just taken the cream out to apply before bed and it's actually dermovate Smile

OP posts:
FrankiesKnuckle · 01/06/2021 23:28

Same here. Suffered for years, just getting over a 6 month 'episode' that has taken oral steroids, topical ABx, dermovate and mometasone to get under control. The sleepless nights are the worst! The itch is so intense.
I'm also NHS (paramedic) so have had the hand wash scale cranked up to 100 over the last year.
I had been using my own soap at work but in a moment of forgetfulness I used a hand foam at a hospital yesterday and I have blisters back today.
I do have a FTF dermatologist appt coming up soon and I've already had an online consult in which they suggest the the next line of approach is oral meds (methotrexate and/or alitrentoin ?sp)

I feel your pain and itch. You really need to pin down those triggers. Be religious with the dermovate and moisturiser. The best one for me is the nutrogena Norwegian formula unscented. You will find what works for you.... after you have a cupboard full of stuff that doesn't.

toto23 · 01/06/2021 23:58

I had this with my hands and feet!

I changed my soap powder and it stopped completely.

I have all over eczema anyway but it was horrendous on my hands and feet until I switched to a different soap powder.

SherryPalmer · 02/06/2021 00:06

@RavingAnnie it’s interesting to see your post because I also have this type of eczema AND reacted to Balsam of Peru and Cobalt in a patch test! Unfortunately my dermatologist at the type was useless at following up with me after the patch test and never really told me what to avoid so it would be great if you could share some tips.

MyNameForToday1980 · 02/06/2021 00:11

I get this too and alternate between dermovate and benovate depending on how severe it is. The biggest game changer I found was using Dermol 500 instead of soap, that helped hugely.

GuyFawkesDay · 02/06/2021 00:16

Interestingly I have this, and "contact dermatitis" reactions.

Also tested positive for cobalt and nickel allergies years ago (following emergency referral for suncream allergy)

Timeforredwine · 02/06/2021 00:24

Excema sufferer hands only, find too much washing hands dries them out plus heat and definitely stress only cream that works is betnovate- used it for years whebever a flare up- all gone within 48 hours.

RavingAnnie · 02/06/2021 00:35

[quote SherryPalmer]@RavingAnnie it’s interesting to see your post because I also have this type of eczema AND reacted to Balsam of Peru and Cobalt in a patch test! Unfortunately my dermatologist at the type was useless at following up with me after the patch test and never really told me what to avoid so it would be great if you could share some tips.[/quote]
Yes the hospital are utterly useless! They gave me some vague sheets, told me to avoid all the allergens as much as possible and that was it. I asked a few questions which they couldn't answer.

Since I wrote the above post I've found out that I may not be allergic to cobalt and chromium after all. even though the derm told me I was and gave me allergy sheets telling me to avoid everything with cobalt and chromium in!! Apparently I had an irritant reaction to them rather than an allergic reaction. This is great but I would never have known this had I not contacted the hospital to ask what some of the annotations meant on my allergen sheets. I could have gone for years avoiding things I didn't need to avoid. So yes, pretty useless verging on incompetent!

So basically I've done my own research (which includes cobalt as I've only just found out the irritant thing above - so I can share that with you also)

Balsam of Peru is the trickiest one and the one I reacted most to. It has multiple names, multiple constituents and multiple cross reactors which you also need to avoid. It's in sooo many things! It feels pretty overwhelming at first but I am getting the hang of now.

I've been through all my products and have found replacements for most of them (I'm also allergic to cetearyl alcohol which is also in everything so that's been pretty challenging!) so feel like I'm getting into the swing of it now.

I also have to avoid BoP foods as I have oral symptoms. Some people with systemic allergic dermatitis also find they have to avoid BoP foods but some just need to avoid skin contact. I'd probably start with the products and work up to the foods if you find you are still reacting.

The foods is hard I have to say but the idea is you do an elimination diet and then reintroduce to see what foods are causing the issue and hopefully you don't need to avoid all of them permanently.

Cobalt is similar. Cobalt is in loads of things you come into contact with but there is also a low cobalt diet that you could try if needed. It's in so many things you come into contact with that you won't be able to avoid it entirely but may be able to limit it and that be enough.

I have loads of links, info, food lists, studies and allergy sheets I can share with you. I will post them on this thread tomorrow when I have had a chance to sit down and go through them. As I should be going to bed now!! Smile

.

RavingAnnie · 02/06/2021 00:38

@GuyFawkesDay

Interestingly I have this, and "contact dermatitis" reactions.

Also tested positive for cobalt and nickel allergies years ago (following emergency referral for suncream allergy)

I'll post some detailed info about pompholyx, cobalt allergy and what to avoid tomorrow so check the thread again tomorrow if you are interested.
Smokeymirror · 02/06/2021 00:41

Goodness me I remember having severe eczema on my hands and the cracking and pain 😕. Has more or less cleared up giving up Dairy. Still occasionally flares up but not as severe.

SherryPalmer · 02/06/2021 03:14

@RavingAnnie

It would be amazingly helpful if you could share some of your info when you get a chance.

Shellingbynight · 02/06/2021 15:58

@loosingmymind99

Oh my mistake just taken the cream out to apply before bed and it's actually dermovate Smile
Excellent! Within a few days you should find the itching subsides significantly. Remember not to stop using the ointment abruptly when the blisters are healed up, taper it off gradually over several days.

I don't believe mine was an allergic reaction to anything. I didn't change anything at the time, or afterwards. It just turned up for no apparent reason, and left after treatment with Dermovate.

loosingmymind99 · 02/06/2021 17:40

@Shellingbynight I hope your right 😄 I would love a good nights sleep. Also hoping like yourself it's a one off unexplained event and it doesn't become a regular occurrence x

OP posts:
RavingAnnie · 02/06/2021 22:46

Hi Just popping back on to say I haven't forgotten about posting the links and info just today has run away with me and am now shattered and need my bed. Will do it tomorrow evening. Apologies!

estill88 · 11/03/2022 14:22

Another Vote for hemp body shop hand cream.

I’ve tried everything for two years and finally starting to see some results (even seen a dermatologist for it!

  • switched to Ecover zero for everything in the house. Even found method products too strong
  • hemp body shop cream
  • wear gloves for everything
  • put clothes on extra rinse (this has cured my sons eczema)
  • Use Persil no bio powder and the smallest amount I can get away with!
  • turned central heating down at night

Good luck- it’s awlful. Really hope these tips help

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