What Does Fingertip Eczema Look Like?
Fingertip eczema is the presence of atopic dermatitis or rash on the tips of the fingers. It may affect one, a few, or all the fingers. In some cases, the fingertip eczema affects the fingernails as well as the skin.
The common symptom of fingertip eczema is dry, peeling skin. Some people experience a thickening of the skin of the fingertips. The fingertips affected by fingertip eczema may appear tough and wrinkled.
The skin may become red, cracked, and even bleed. If the fingertip eczema is bleeding, special care needs to be taken to avoid infection. The person should consult a physician for treatment, especially if there are any signs of infection.
Some people with fingertip eczema report feeling a tingling sensation in the affected fingertips. People with fingertip eczema may suffer from pain and discomfort. The fingers may hurt during normal activities. People may also feel self-conscious about the rash on their hands.
There is some debate over the cause of fingertip eczema as well as many other forms of eczema. Sometimes, eczema is due to contact with a substance that triggers an allergic reaction. Some people are just prone to flare-ups of eczema for no known reason other than heredity. Eczema flare-ups tend to be more frequent during the winter months.
The physician is likely to ask questions about the patients activities and history of rashes when diagnosing fingertip eczema. The physician will examine the rash. The information provided by the patient and examination of the rash are used to diagnose fingertip eczema since there are no tests for this condition.
Moisturizers are often the first treatment that is tried. If moisturizer fails to clear the symptoms of fingertip eczema, the physician may prescribe a topical steroid cream. Some dermatologists recommend the application of shortening after bathing to soften and moisturize the skin.
People with fingertip eczema or other forms of eczema often have occasional flare-ups of the condition. People of any age can have eczema though some people only have the condition in childhood. Keeping the skin moisturized especially during winter is recommended to help prevent eczema rashes.
Frequent or prolonged contact with hot water can increase the risk or severity of fingertip eczema. People with fingertip eczema should avoid frequent hand-washing.
