Two dermatologists have looked at my hands and prescribed steroid creams that had no positive effect. I recently saw a rheumatologist and she was baffled. Now, I'm awaiting the results of 12 different blood tests.
Details: Over the last two years, I have experienced repeated attacks that involve the skin and joints on my hands. Over the course of about 6 week, start to finish, my hands go from seemingly perfect health to this swollen, cracked, bleeding mess—then back to health, except for lingering damage to the joints in my fingers (decreased flexibility and diminished dexterity). This cycle repeats over and over. Notably, at the peak of the attack, the skin on my hands forms thick shiny sheets, which peels off during the healing phase like strips of leather.
The pain is excruciating.
I can't find any pictures online that look anything like this.
Help?
Written by
ChiBree
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Poor you, that looks excruciating. Might it be psoriatic arthritis? Once you have one autoimmune condition you are far more likely to get another. I started with scleroderma and I now have rheumatoid arthritis too. Have a look at the picture in this link, it looks similar (if far less severe) to yours.
Because my attacks cover a range of stages, each with their own characteristic look and discomfort level, the photo you linked does somewhat resemble my fingers in the *first week* of onset. Redness starts in the gaps of fingers and around the middle joint of my fingers, and is often accompanied by tiny bumps, which look a lot like the main picture here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshi... (this might suggest eczema is involved, but I can't find any information or photos that show even the most severe eczema causing the kind of inflammation and tissue destruction that I'm experiencing).
One bizarre aspect of my problem is that the attacks are limited in location — there is no pain, inflammation, or skin involvement below the middle joint of my fingers; the condition simply stops at that joint. The photos I've seen of psoriatic arthritis suggest a broader engagement of the fingers and hands.
It looks so painful, probably a mixture of things going on, I hope your blood tests give you some answers and hopefully it can be treated, good luck x
Hi ChiBree, I am so sorry for your pain, both physical and emotional. Some of the inflammation looks like cellulitis and / or an allergic reaction to something. I am a strong believer in keeping a healthy diet, avoiding preserved and genetically modified foots, taking nutritional supplements, avoiding contact with chemicals, and making sure to avoid anything that could damage you physically and emotionally. Flush out any toxins by drinking filtered water and healthy, caffeine free free, non-carbonated beverages. Try to get your doctor to prescribe Mupirocin ointment for your hands. It is very soothing and healing. I also like a pure vitamin e oil for my face and hands. Other over the counter creams, etc., may be contributing to the painful rash. Make sure you get rest consistently. I like Shaklee nutritional supplements and have been taking them for over 40 years. You can find someone in your area who will sell them to you or order online. Remember to avoid all ibuprofen and Advil type medications; they will eventually cause kidney problems. I hope this is helpful to you and you feel better soon.
I certainly can take more steps to eliminate all toxins from my body. Along those lines, over the past two years I've stopped drinking alcohol, eating meat, and have drastically cut back on sugar and processed foods. I have a way to go to make my diet completely organic. I will check out Shaklee....
I've considered that some kind of infection could be causing the problem, but I can't figure out why it would be perfectly symmetrical (the same places on each hand), and the swelling and skin deterioration never engages the flesh below my middle finger joint. Also, the fact that the symptoms rage to a point of bleeding and open wounds, then completely disappear, before coming back, again and again, makes this the most curious infection I can imagine.
An allergic reaction does make sense. But I can't seem to pinpoint anything that I'm coming in contact with that seems to start these attack cycles. Your advice regarding detoxing my life could eliminate the cause, even if I never find out what it is.
There could be something in your hand soap that contributes to it. Do you have Raynaud's syndrome in your hands? Do your hands feel cold? I can give you the contact information for my Shaklee business leader if you want to order some supplements. How often do your sore hands flare up? I understand the flare up and healing issues. I get Raynaud's ulcers on the same finger all the time. It is so frustrating. I hope you feel better soon.
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Can anybody advise me on this issue please.
Has anyone experienced tight, shiny skin on your face, neck and body?
Could this be scleroderma? What should I ask from my GP?
Is this raynauds?
Arthitis sufferers, this may be of interest to you. 
