Red bumps on hands: Hi šŸ‘‹ Does anyone... - The Australian Sj...

The Australian Sjƶgren's Syndrome Association

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Red bumps on hands

Shoad profile image
Shoad
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Hi šŸ‘‹

Does anyone else get red bumps on the backs of your knuckles and fingers, I assume it's an autoimmune thing ( I have had primary sjorgrens for 8 years), there quite painful sometimes especially if you knock the ones on your knuckles, have attached a photo, excuse my hands. Thank you in advance šŸ˜Š I also have raynauds

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Shoad profile image
Shoad
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Megansheart profile image
Megansheart

Perfectly lovely hands!!

The 'bumps' I get are somewhat different to that, less defined. Mine are Psoriasis, another autoimmune condition which has developed since I got Sjƶgren's, so I can't really help you Shoad. However we do get strange things with these autoimmune conditions.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with recognition of what you have!

Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to Megansheart

Thank you for your comment Megansheart, yes I think your probably right we do have to put up with strange things, wishing you well x

Nurse05 profile image
Nurse05 in reply to Shoad

Shoad,

Iā€™m so happy I came across your post. I started getting the same painful red bumps on my fingers back in 2010 and no one knew what they were. In 2012 I was diagnosed with SLE and Sjƶgrens. The bumps are very intermittent and come and go as they please. Iā€™ve gone years at times with out seeing this. Interestingly enough though I just went through a Lupus flare up. And while that got better with prednisone, the skƶgrens stuff is still bothering me. Dry eye, dry mouth, and now these bumps are back.

I know it sounds totally insane but no doctor seems to believe them when I tell Them that some of these symptoms rear their ugly head when I am a week out from starting my period and then ca down once I start. Clearly there is a hormonal factor associated with autoimmune disorders.... but hey what do I know... Iā€™m just a critical care nurse šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø.

Frustrating to say the least. Thank you for sharing

Forever5boys profile image
Forever5boys in reply to Nurse05

I get the same bumps and your right they come right before period or during for me . Iā€™ve gotten them for years and have no clue what they are or caused from . Thanks for this response , gives me some direction !

honeybug profile image
honeybug

Hi ShoadšŸ‘‹

I have Erythema Nodosum. It causes red swellings that are painful. They are autoimmune related. I have gotten them on my legs and feet age 18. Now I get them hands & forearms too. Maybe this info will help...hope so. Best wishesšŸ¦‹

Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to honeybug

I have never heard of that honeybug I will look it up, I only seem to get it on my knuckles and fingers, thank you for your reply x

Tally profile image
Tally

Hello Shoad.Truly grateful to see your post as I get similar on my hands and like you they can become painful and yes have Raynauds as well as SS and Fibromyalgia etc. My GP always says ummmm must SS related. Will be interested in your feedback and others.

Tally profile image
Tally

My hands are badly affected with skin cancers but these spots stand out

SusieW2 profile image
SusieW2

Shoad, agree with hormonal links with autoimmune disorders as well as dietary links. There will probably be fluid under those bumps as in eczema.

RA_IN_CA profile image
RA_IN_CA

Hi I just joined, because of your piture. I have RA. methotrexate subq inj. I have those bumps on my fleshy palm by thumb. Fingers and 3 toes. I'm going to take a break for a month FROM trexate as per my Rheumatologist. Are you on methotrexate?.

PEACE-OUT

Thank you

Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to RA_IN_CA

Hi there

I am on methotrexate now but I wasnā€™t at the time that picture was taken and my bumps have gone away now, I have raynauds quite badly too and I thought it may be connected to that but the cause has always been a mystery.

All the best to you

RA_IN_CA profile image
RA_IN_CA in reply to Shoad

Thanks for your info. It makes me think....

PEACE-OUT my friend

Megansheart profile image
Megansheart

Since I replied to your initial post one year ago I have started to get red bumps (at this stage confined to hands) exactly like your picture however mine although painful when they first emerge become VERY itchy. They exude a clear serous fluid if I scratch too hard. Although these bumps look more solid than a blister, once they are touched they become itchy and then behave like a varicella pox or a herpes simplex blister.

Simply weird!

Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to Megansheart

Very weird indeed hope they go away quickly x

RA_IN_CA profile image
RA_IN_CA in reply to Megansheart

Omg I have the same. The bump painful, itchy, on my fingers and fleshy part of palm and on my toes. the doctor said she had never seen that with methotrexate. I'm on a month break from trexall. We shall see.

You are not alone

PEACE-OUT

Superwomen22 profile image
Superwomen22

Hi,

I am going through the same thing very painful from my lupus, hope you feel better šŸ’œ

Buckley123 profile image
Buckley123

I get them on my head so sore xx

Kissingfish profile image
Kissingfish

Hi! I have been getting these bumps on my hands (mostly knuckles or between my knuckles) for 9 years. They seem to happen when I get a flare or am especially fatigued. They have no relationship to medication or food or allergy that I can tell, but if I am especially active they will surface. Sometimes only every 6 months, sometimes more often if I start working or traveling.

I have gone undiagnosed for a long time. I have been on hormone therapy for estrogen for a few years and just got diagnosed with Sjƶgrenā€™s Syndrome. Waiting on more tests.

No doctor ever knows what these bumps are!!!!!! They make me crazy! šŸ˜

Mylittlelady profile image
Mylittlelady in reply to Kissingfish

I have the same bumps on my fingers, hands and feet. They are extremely painful and then itch when they are healing and go away. I get them every May and usually again in November so just about every 6 month. It started in 2008, shortly after I had something called ā€œvalley feverā€ but looking back not sure if that is what I really had, it was definitely a lung issue that ā€œtriggeredā€ asthma that I never knew I had at age 27 and then also fibromyalgia.

I was diagnosed at Age 4 with JRA. As an adult, I have many inflammation issues and now osteoporosis (not even 40 yet). I have never been diagnosed with sjorens, raynauds and lupus was negative.

Would really like to know what they are and what caused it. The sun makes it much worse, but on really bad days I canā€™t move my fingers at all.

Kissingfish profile image
Kissingfish in reply to Mylittlelady

Rhuematology wants me to have them biopsied next time they flare up. He asked me if I think they are brought on by heat. I was diagnosed with Erythromelalgia which causes my hands and feet to burn frequently. I sometimes think the blistering is an extreme version of this. Mine do not get flakey and itch much but they do hurt.

I also have since seen this online and wondered if they are popping up during allergy seasons even if they are not a direct contact dermatitis. mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Thought maybe that would be helpful to someone.

Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to Kissingfish

Interesting, will be interested to see what results of biopsy is. Thank you.

Mylittlelady profile image
Mylittlelady in reply to Kissingfish

Thank you. Mine are definitely aligned with allergy season, however not sure itā€™s related.

Iā€™m not sure how to post pictures, but towards the end (after steroid cream, lotion and almost a month) they do tend to ā€œscab overā€. No longer itchy, but still painful.

I do notice I get them more when washing my hands, using hand sanitizer and being in the sun.

I was told by a doctor once it was called ā€œhousewives diseaseā€ a form of eczema. He said itā€™s from washing you hands with soap containing antibacterial agents. Kinda makes some sense seeing that both times of the year I get them are also cold/flu and now Covid. He told me to carry my own soap and not to use hand sanitizer. The soap he told me to use was Ivory.

Thank you for your reply. Have a wonderful day.

SunnyBean profile image
SunnyBean

Hello Shoad, just wondering if you have gotten any closer to a diagnosis of the red bumps on the back of your hands. I too get these bumps. They come and go. I have been tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus as I get joint pain but all tests have come up negative. I do have an autoimmune disorder. I have Ulcerative Colitis but I can't seem to find any relationship between the two when searching the internet.

Heather_in_mi profile image
Heather_in_mi in reply to SunnyBean

I have ulcerative colitis and gets these bumps as well. Primarily on my right hand. On my knuckles.

Shoad profile image
Shoad

Hello SunnyBean

No sorry never got to the bottom of my red bumps and at the moment they have disappeared, I tend to get them more in the winter, I have quite bad Raynauds so wondered if it was linked to that, I too have UC or rather proctitus but am also on different meds now for my Sjƶgrenā€™s syndrome so it could be that thatā€™s made a difference. I find anything autoimmune can throw some unusual symptoms in the mix that canā€™t always be explained, which is frustrating. Sending my best wishes to you x

Buckley123 profile image
Buckley123

I get them on my scalp very painful maybe I should mention to doctor d Cruz next appointment.

Anyone else get them on scalp dx

SusieW2 profile image
SusieW2

I get those. I associate them with eczema which I believe to be related with SS and with eating high acid foods and/or hidden gluten. I also get more traditional eczema, mostly on my hands also from stress or cheating on my diet. They go away if/when I get strict with my diet. 15 years experience with this.

PCFD928 profile image
PCFD928

I have gotten these ā€œbumpsā€ on a few occasions. However, I seem to only get one, maybe two bumps at a time. My most recent bump appeared on the fleshy part of my palm whereas every other outbreak has appeared on a knuckle. Each has been itchy and has had some pain associated with it. Similar to being bitten by a fire ant I suppose. Has ANYONE ever received an answer as to what the cause is? What the name of these bumps may be? Is there treatment or do sufferers just ā€œtough this out?ā€ Do they get progressively worse or more frequent?

Iā€™m about eight years into this Sjogrens diagnosis and have made some dietary changes and tweaked several medications over the years to arrive at my present ā€œcomfort zoneā€ as it is... and ā€œcomfortableā€ is a relative term. I have more changes that certainly need to be made... and now have a 20 year old daughter about to undergo auto-immune testing, as she is now displaying some tel-tale symptoms as well.

Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to PCFD928

Sorry I canā€™t help with the explanation of the bumps Iā€™m afraid never been given an answer but may I ask about how youā€™ve tweaked your diet and the difference thatā€™s made for you, interested to know, thanks in advance, ps sorry to hear that your daughter now facing tests not what we want for our children.

Froogleme profile image
Froogleme

Yes, and on the feet - had them for ages. Another one of 'little' annoying things that all add up!

Patti28 profile image
Patti28

I have Sjogren's Syndrome and Fibromyalgia and have been experiencing these red painful bumps or blisters on my fingers and toes for several years. The occur in the winter and last a couple of weeks. They got so bad this past week, I made an appointment with a dermatologist. He said the red bumps or blisters are Chilblains (or Pernio). They happen to people with auto-immune diseases. Here's a description: Chilblains (CHILL-blayns) are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air. Also known as pernio, chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet. See mayoclinic.org/diseases-con... for more info. He prescribed a corticosteroid cream. I hope it works!

Shoad profile image
Shoad

Thatā€™s very interesting and makes sense, I can thankfully say they havenā€™t reoccured for me for a while now, thanks for passing on your information. šŸ˜

Bioniceye profile image
Bioniceye

Yes, mine look just like those. I had mine biopsied and they are granuloma Annulare. I also have primary Sjƶgren's with Lupus overlap.

Mistiskys profile image
Mistiskys

Hi all,

I have been getting these weird bumps for at least 15 years. They started as one here or there on the tops of my hands or fingers. Sometimes I will get them on the soft parts of my feet. I am not sure what Sjƶgrenā€™s is, but saw the picture and FINALLY thought, maybe someone knew what these bumps are. Over the last couple months they have gotten worse. I am now getting them on my forearms, I have 5 on my left arm, and at the current moment have 5 on my right hand.

They are sometimes itchy and hurt if I accidentally scratch or bump them. They do not seem to be fluid filled, but they take a few weeks to go away and almost always leave a scar, even when not scratched. The seem to go from flesh colored to really red, then flatten out and leave a scar in place of the bump. I was once told that I have an overactive amount of the the strep virus (that is not contagious) on my skin, but that sounded weird to me.

I have scoured the internet to find pictures of something similar to what I have and this was the closest I have seen. I will be making an appointment to see my new doctor and hopefully he will know what it is or have a little more insight.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 6 years ago after a really bad fall when I was 8 months pregnant with my last child. I don't let the fibro hold me back from enjoying life no matter how much I hurt, I just keep moving. I am only 42 with 3 kids, 10, 7 and 6. I have had these weird bumps since before the fibromyalgia diagnosis. Anymore information that anyone stumbles upon would be amazing.

Thank you,

Misti

Mylittlelady profile image
Mylittlelady in reply to Mistiskys

I have the same bumps on my fingers, hands and feet. They are extremely painful and then itch when they are healing and go away. I get them every May and usually again in November so just about every 6 month. It started in 2008, shortly after I had something called ā€œvalley feverā€ but looking back not sure if that is what I really had, it was definitely a lung issue that ā€œtriggeredā€ asthma that I never knew I had at age 27 and then also fibromyalgia.

I was diagnosed at Age 4 with JRA. As an adult, I have many inflammation issues and now osteoporosis (not even 40 yet). I have never been diagnosed with sjorens, raynauds and lupus was negative.

Would really like to know what they are and what caused it. The sun makes it much worse, but on really bad days I canā€™t move my fingers at all.

Currently suffering from an outbreak and my Rhuemotologist and dermatologist didnā€™t seem to provide answer.

TexasGal64 profile image
TexasGal64

Hi Shoad! I also have these painful red bumps on my fingers that won't go away! Currently have 12 on one index finger. I have RA & Primary Sjogrens too! Rheumatologist didn't know what they are! Anyone give you any ideas yet ? I see you're on MTX now? Did you start with Plaquenil? I have been taking Plaquenil for 2.5 yrs now. At 1st things were much improved, but things aren't as good now. Not sure if adding mtx is the next step or not... thoughts?

Shoad profile image
Shoad

Hi TexasGal no never found out what they are lots of suggestions especially from other people on here if you scroll back through the replies. I donā€™t get them now really the odd one on the knuckle now and then. I did start on plaquenil yes and was on it for 10 years before it started being less effective and then put on methotrexate aswell as plaquenil and much better now but I donā€™t have RA only Sjƶgrens so maybe thatā€™s why itā€™s not working aswell for you after two years. There are lots of different drugs for RA they can try for you, methotrexate doesnā€™t suit all but hopefully your rheumatologist is good and will look after you and find something to help. Hope that helps a little, keep safe and well

Kind regards

Sacha šŸ¦‹

Curious20 profile image
Curious20

My husband gets those. He has Sjogrens which we believe is primary as well, the specialist (we got rid of)tried to push RA with secondary Sjogrens. Anyways, they have been less frequent with the keto diet. Infact he hasnā€™t had any for weeks after being on the keto diet and vit d3 for the last 6 months.

Heather_in_mi profile image
Heather_in_mi

I have them too. No idea what it is. Started a few years ago.

Hello! I believe I may have an answer for you. I too develop these bumps about every two to three months. At least three but sometimes five or six will appear, always on my right pointer finger. (large and painful) It doesn't matter what the climate is or what I'm doing, although they seem to appear when I've been under stress, such as traveling. I have Sjogren's and Lupus and had one bout of vasculitis. After some research, I discovered a very under-reported type of Chilbain called Lupus Chilblain. Chilblains are often caused by the restriction of blood vessels due to exposure to a cold environment. However, people with autoimmune issues experience these bumps without cold exposure. Autoimmune diseases, especially Sjogrens and Lupus, can affect blood vessels and cause restricted blood flow in the extremities. Hopefully this link I've copied will appear and help answer questions.longdom.org/open-access/sym....

cristalynn profile image
cristalynn

I'm so glad you posted this, I also have SLE and Sjogrens and have been noticing these red bumps on my fingers and toes occasionally. And someone else commented that it happens around their period, which is true for me as well. I had been googling whether lupus or sjogrens can cause these, and wasn't finding anything...my doctor hasn't really said much about it either, other than autoimmune disorders make you skin do a lot of weird thingsšŸ˜–

AnotherDayInParadise profile image
AnotherDayInParadise in reply to cristalynn

I have seen a couple of different top Seattle Rheumatologists over the last few years. None of them have much to say about it. I feel the reason why is because there are less than 100 confirmed cases of "Lupus Chilblain". It's not on their radar. Obviously, there are many cases of it. My current Rheumatologist said "why does it matter to have a label assigned to it?" It's true that a label isn't going to do much, however dealing with so many issues, I like to know what it is I'm dealing with. Also, having an actual name for this may offer a treatment protocol. My finger hurts when I get a breakout and having something topical to ease discomfort would be awesome. Interestingly, they showed on my toes first but now only on my right hand pointer finger. It's definitely an autoimmune thing and one of the many weirdo issues to add to our list of odd things we get. šŸ˜Š

Threefour profile image
Threefour in reply to AnotherDayInParadise

I also read that lupus chilblains is rare and am very surprised by that because it seems very common based on how many people mention these symptoms on the internet. Frustrating that your doc doesnā€™t understand the need for a label. They obviously havenā€™t ever had a chronic illness.

I responded to Shoad (original contributor) and posted a picture. Does that look like what you have? Clobatesol does seem to be helping. I spot treat the bumps with clobatesol on a qtip then put Vaseline on, then cotton cloves before going to bed. Iā€™m also using colloidal silver ointment during the day.

If you find out anything please let me know!

AnotherDayInParadise profile image
AnotherDayInParadise in reply to Threefour

Yes, that is exactly what I have. Here's a picture of my recent breakout. šŸ˜Š I have a tube of clobatesol and will give it a try. Thank you for the suggestion.

Chilblain Lupus.
Threefour profile image
Threefour in reply to AnotherDayInParadise

Itā€™s crazy. The hand in your picture could be mine, the bumps are so alike. I stopped with the clobatesol because it was making my hands sore (it can thin the skin and shouldnā€™t be used indefinitely). I started using the highest strength vitamin E oil and it seems to be helping. Did the clobatesol with for you? Have you ever had what seemed like swollen joints? I had a couple, one on each hand, but couldnā€™t tell if it was something unrelated.

Threefour profile image
Threefour

Glad I found this thread! I donā€™t have Sjƶgrens that I know of but I have interstitial cystitis, another autoimmune disease, and starting to wonder about Reynauds. For the last few years I have been getting an occasional bump on a finger here and there every few months but 5 months ago I started getting a lot more and it hasnā€™t stopped. I finally saw a dermatologist about a month ago who said it is dyshidrotic eczema and put me on clobetasol ointment. Clobetasol can apparently thin the skin which I think is why it might be helping. However, itā€™s not so good for healthy skin around the affected area so must be used for short periods of time. Iā€™m not convinced itā€™s eczema. The second dermatologist I saw said it didnā€™t look like typical dyshidrotic eczema and might be stemming from an autoimmune thing.

Do the bumps in my picture look like any of yours? They are red at first but eventually lose much of the redness and become almost callous like. They donā€™t hurt or itch unless I bump them and then it can be excruciating.

Hand with bumps along the fingers
Shoad profile image
Shoad in reply to Threefour

Hello, I had to scroll back through the posts as it was a long time ago now, I donā€™t get them anymore I take methotrexate and that has kept my symptoms under control and no red spots since, looking back it looks like there is no definitive answer only that autoimmune related, the bumps you have sound exactly like the ones I had, I think maybe a good idea to ask to see a rheumatologist and get some testing done for autoimmune diseases. Have you noticed any other symptoms like joint pain, dry mouth, dry eyes. Anyways hope that helps good luck and all the best šŸ˜

AnotherDayInParadise profile image
AnotherDayInParadise in reply to Shoad

Hi Shoad! I just wanted to say hello and thank you for the original post. If you ever go off methotrexate, you may have an issue with them again. I tried methotrexate and I was so sick with it. Glad to hear you're having success with it. Take care.

Threefour profile image
Threefour

Hi Shoad. Glad the bumps have gone away for you. I donā€™t have dry mouth or eyes. I do have an autoimmune disease called interstitial cystitis, digestive issues that havenā€™t been figured out, and some joint pain. Yes, Iā€™ve been thinking I should see a rheumatologist.

Did the bumps leave any scarring? Itā€™s hard to imagine these bumps completely clearing up because they are so hard and thick.

AnotherDayInParadise profile image
AnotherDayInParadise in reply to Threefour

They completely go away (no scars) but reoccur every few months. Definitely see a Rheumatologist. I have IC too. They very well may say it's no big deal.. and it's not really BUT it's annoying. They're painful when bumping them, like you said. You may have another underlying issue you're not aware of or it's on the horizon. Hang in there!

ManFinland profile image
ManFinland

I have those too. Those are not related to the weather and I have not been diagnosed with any autoimmune disease. I get those 2-3 times a year. No idea what is causing those.

Bump whatver

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