Dermatitis on the fingers: what to do?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Since our hands are in constant contact with the environment, they are most likely to suffer from external irritants: weather and environmental conditions, cosmetic products, household chemicals. But it should be noted that internal causes and processes in the body can also play a role.

Types of disease

There are the following types of disease:

• Contact: manifests itself under the influence of an external stimulus;
• Atopic: develops due to a hereditary predisposition;
• Solar: occurs under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
• Actinic: manifests itself as a result of ionizing radiation from the sun;
• Allergic: The body's reaction to any allergens.

In this case, there are two forms of the course of the disease:

• sharp;
• chronic.

If the patient has an increased sensitivity to any substance, we are talking about interdigital dermatitis. Distinguish:

• atopic neurodermatitis;
• contact allergic;
• fungal interdigital.

With neurodermatitis, it is very difficult to establish the cause of the disease, and this happens rarely. With contact dermatitis, the cause is established very quickly.

Dermatitis between the fingers is a simple form of this disease.

Possible causes of the disease

The treatment of this disease is directly related to the causes that caused it. The following external stimuli are distinguished:

• Physical - radiation, high temperatures, pressure, dryness, humidity;
• Chemical - alkalis, detergents, washing powders, bleaches, paints;
• Biological - plants and animals.

As for internal factors, they are most often due to an allergic reaction of the body or heredity.

So, dermatitis on the fingers can be caused by any allergen:

• Products - any to which a person has an individual intolerance: milk, nuts, citrus fruits, honey, baked goods, preservatives and flavorings;
• Air: industrial emissions or bloom of any trees and plants;
• Medicines. Sometimes a negative reaction to drugs is manifested in people who, it would seem, do not suffer from allergies at all;
• Cosmetics and perfumery products. Women should be very careful when choosing beauty products. Every year, the number of unscrupulous manufacturers who use harmful substances in their products is increasing. This poses a direct threat to health.

Also, dermatitis on the fingers can appear in a person who suffers from:

• diseases of the endocrine and immune systems;
• intestinal diseases;
• hereditary predisposition;
• chronic pathology of internal organs;
• nervous tension;
• hormonal disruption;
• overwork and stress;
• depression.

Damage to the skin of the hands can occur if moisture gets into the interdigital space. This is especially true for children in the winter when playing snowballs. Then red spots appear on the fingers or bloody cracks form.

The cause of infection with fungal dermatitis of the hands is contact with the carrier of the disease or the object that he touched. This fungal infection is called candida, which is why the disease is also called candidiasis. Basically, this disease can be caught by doctors or people suffering from any chronic pathologies and vitamin deficiency for a long time.

Overview of key symptoms

In the acute form, there is:

• redness of the affected skin area;
• intertrigo;
• edema;
• itching;
• burning;
• the formation of bubbles.

The chronic form is characterized by the formation of edema in the affected area, which does not go away for a long time. Skin tightening and discoloration may occur.

Signs of the disease on the fingers are:

• Attrition. This phenomenon occurs as a result of exposure to mechanical stimuli. A popular example: a wedding ring. At first, itching and burning is felt, then redness occurs and bubbles filled with liquid may appear;
• Intertrigo. It occurs when areas of the skin are often forced to come into contact with each other, as a result of which there is friction between them. In this case, cracks and burning appear.

Dermatitis on the fingers: drug treatment

For the treatment of neurodermatitis, drugs of the following groups are prescribed:

• antiallergenic;
• antibacterial;
• vitamin complexes.

Doctors advise to eliminate hand dermatitis:

• when signs of illness appear on the fingers - anti-inflammatory ointments, bandages;
• hand treatment with potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide;
• if you have opened large bubbles on your hands, then you need to immediately treat them with a solution of anilic dyes in alcohol (2%);
• wipe your palms with 3% boric acid;
• use antibacterial ointments and dressings;
• drink antihistamines.

Effective creams for treatment are:

• Eplan. The tool has a bactericidal and healing effect. Used twice a day: before and after work. It is applied in an even thin layer on the skin of the hands;
• "Panthenol". Has a regenerative effect, stimulates the healing of the skin. It is necessary to use the product 2 to 4 times a day. It is applied externally;
• Exoderil. The drug is antifungal for topical use. Has a bactericidal effect. It is applied to dry and clean skin once a day;
• "Protopic". Anti-inflammatory propolis agent. It is used to treat atopic dermatitis. Apply in a thin layer twice a day;
• Wundehil. The product has antiseptic and healing properties. On the affected areas of the skin, the ointment is applied externally, 2-3 times a day;
• "Skin-cap". It has antibacterial and antifungal effects. With atopic dermatitis, it is prescribed for use for 3-4 weeks, 2 times a day.

The following are prescribed as antihistamines:

• Suprastin. The drug is indicated for urticaria, contact and atopic dermatitis. Take 1 tablet 3-4 times a day;
• "Cetrin". Antiallergenic agent. It is recommended to use 5 mg for adults and children from 6 years old 2 times a day;
• Claritin. Fast and long acting antihistamine. It is indicated for use by people suffering from skin diseases caused by allergies. It is used 1 tablet once a day.

In any case, keep in mind that self-medication is a bad idea. You should contact a dermatologist to find out the causes of dermatitis. This will help the doctor prescribe the treatment that is right for you. In some cases, it may be necessary to consult a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, neurologist or therapist.

Prevention and prevention of disease

Dermatitis prevention includes:

• Elimination of allergens and external irritants;
• Avoiding stressful situations and overwork;
• Lack of climate change;
• Tracking the condition of the skin, timely care;
• Rational and balanced nutrition;
• Time limitation of water procedures;
• Washing clothes with hypoallergenic powders and using the delicate wash cycle;
• Compliance with a hypoallergenic diet.

A qualified specialist should select the treatment for you. Neglect of the instructions and recommendations of the doctor can end in disastrous: complications of the disease or atrophy of the skin of the hands. Therefore, try to prevent the appearance of dermatitis in time.

Reconsider how you feel about hand skin. Start caring for her, if you have not done this before: use creams, do not allow excessive dryness of the skin, its chapping and hypothermia or excessive moisture.