Painful fingertips

[meders]

Was diagnosed with silicosis, then scleroderma with raynauds back in 2007. Everything is pretty stable at the moment. I get scabs and split skin on my fingertips which are so painful when knocked. Anyone else have any problems like this?

[JoannaB]

My son has this, he's 13 and has raynauds and scleroderma, he takes Nifedipine, this helps but still gets them occasionaly, he seems to get the painful fingers more in the summer, I think this is beacuse in the winter we make sure he has gloves etc but not so vigilant in the summer. It is very painful and this is the reason we first went to the doctor as he couldn't cope with the pain. Try and get some medication for the Raynauds this may help.

[meders in reply to JoannaB]

I take nifedipine for the raynauds, a high dose and have had an isloprost infusion, which didn't help. I see two doctors for this so hopefully will try a different medication soon. I get so frustrated with this, I have a five month old baby and struggle with his buttons and checking his bottle temperature. My condition is stable but my fingers hurt so much.

[triumph in reply to meders]

Try sildenafil brilliant,

[tall-tim]

Sympathies... I get painful splits and wells of liquid rising under the skin in my finger creases and on the tips (as I am typing now!). I don't take drugs, just put on plasters + antiseptic when times are bad. Some days my fingers are decorated with quite a collection. I sometimes put them in hot water to try to bring the liquid to the surface, a sort of hot poultice technique (it hurts a bit). Once the liquid is near the surface it can be pricked out with a needle, and I get relief for a day or so. Hope this information is in some way useful.

[AliW]

I have CREST - the Raynauds in my fingers seem worse than ever at the moment ... I knock one by accident & the pain makes me wince difficult to explain but you can't help it as the reaction is spontaneous. I know how you feel & it's tough isnt it ...take care Ali x

[jamesecoker]

Hi guys, I am glad your all talking about this. I can relate to this. My fingertips are so sore and split in this weather. Also as tall-tim says when typing it hurts so much and also get nerve pains running down the fingers. My family says it looks weird when I have 7 plasters on my fingertips. I think that is insensitive and inconsiderate to make such comments. I have noticed that I cannot keep the plaster on too long as then the skin gets overly soft and can be worst. I have little ulcers that are not healing and my whole finger is starting to really hurt. Sorry if I sound dramatic but is liberation for me to read your comments and see I am not alone in how I feel.

Doing up buttons is hard and painful, If I brush something it hurts like I got my tablets out those foil things and it brushes my fingertips, ouch. Why cant they give pills in better formed packs with less abrasive materials? Holding a cup is very differcult and anything other than warm water is painful. Visitors to my flat say my flat is like an oven yet I feel it is cold at times.

I am up at the moment as feeling a bit poorly. I can't always put it in to words but I am sure you guys know what I mean. Just one day, one hour, one minute without something hurting would be great!

Nice to meet you all now Thanks, James

[meders in reply to jamesecoker]

I got a little plastic device from the kleeneze catalogue that you can pop pills out of their packet so it doesn't hurt your fingers. I think they are also on the internet. It is a god send I advise all to get one. They are only a few pounds. Money well spent.

[russnutter in reply to jamesecoker]

I find Balmosa cream is really effective,but it is not recommended for broken skin, so immerse your hands in warm water to soften them, or wear plasters( where the skin is split) to bed ,the cream soothes and moistureises your skin and also opens up your capilleries to allow the blood to flow properly

[jamesecoker]

Thanks Meders, , I didn't know this and I will find this a great help if I can find this device.

I will check it out. I just put some Manuka honey on an ulcer I have on my index finger that wont heal so if it helps I let you know!!

Thanks James

[11elisa8]

Hi I get ulcers on my fingers and toes. Which eventually turns to gangrene I had lost several toes so I was desperate. I have a dr that specializes in scleroderma and this may sound weird but she prescribed Revatio which is Viagra this med increases circulation in women n helps u heal faster and helps ur fingers not hurt so much. I hope this helps

[overnighthearingloss]

I have found the most effective treatment to be to keeping my hands warm. This often goes as far as wearing gloves indoors when not actively using my hands or sleeping in gloves.

For the last few weeks I have been handbathing or finger bathing an ulcerated finger in hot water with some dried ginger added. It makes the finger throb initially but then provides relief. Although not healed yet I think there has been some improvement. Try that then put on gloves and see if it works for you

[Dermatray15]

I have experienced painful finger tips and painful spots on the cuticles. I take nephedipine for my circulation. I use antibacterial ointment.

[MFC911]

Hi,

I have had Raynaudes for twenty years. Subsequently I now have systemic sclerosis and all of the wonderful things associated with it.

In short this curse has completely destroyed my life. I am virtually bed ridden now which at the age of 58 is pretty much a real pain in the proverbial. Enough of my moaning.

I went through a stage of horrendous finger tip pain. Indeed, I lost the tip of the little finger on my left hand and half of the top of the finger next to it. I'm left handed too. Ha! Just my luck. The point is get your doctor / rheumatologist to prescribe you sildenafil. I take 150mg a day. My fingertips are still very sensitive. Getting the toolbox out and playing with engines is not likely to be happening again I guess. Shame really.

You must, must get that medication and get it quickly. Get your circulation back before further damage occurs. If you don't have a rheumatologist. Get one asap. I learned the hard and extremely painful way that most gp's are pretty clueless with regard to this horrible deseise and foot stamping / yelling may be required. Don't take no for an answer. It is your life and the quality of it. It took me ten years to get the correct treatment. If they had reacted faster with the correct medication I wouldn't be in the situation I am. Thank God I have a brilliant partner who is an angel to me. Without her I'd be up the proverbial creek.

So, I hope after getting you to read all that you will get some sildenafil fast.

Good luck. Stand fast with the quacks and don't take NO for an answer.

Regards. Mark.