Suggest Treatment For Rashes In Winter

Posted on Sat, 5 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 5 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor , I'm a 23 years old male and on my left hand I get the skin rash during cold months , now summers almost over and my skin on my hands get extremely dry and red , my GP said it was a cold allergy , Can you Please take a good look at my photos and tell me what kinda skin condition is this ? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hand dermatitis; use a mix (1:1) of moisturising cream and topical steroid

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the images.

I can see that you dry, red, scaly patches on dorsal aspect if your hand.

This is hand dermatitis.

Cold and dry weather in winters and excessive use of soaps/ detergents etc predisposes to such kind of dermatitis. Those who have inherently dry skin are more prone to hand dermatitis.

If I was the treating doctor I would have suggested you to keep the skin on your hands moisturised. For initial 2-3 weeks you may use a good moisturising cream twice or thrice daily preferably after mixing it (1:1) with a moderately potent topical steroid e.g mometasone furoate 0.1% cream or triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream

Once dryness, redness and scaling resolve i.e usually 2-3 weeks, you may discontinue topical steroid cream and thereafter for maintenance of improvement you may just continue with a moisturising cream, applied at least twice daily and everytime you wash your hands with soaps/ liquid hand wash etc.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Thank you Doctor , i will get the stereoid cream from the pharmacy but i worry that my work is going to make my condition worse , I wear glavs everyday for couple of hours , do you suggest that i take a few days off from work ? And also is there a big risk that my hands can get infected ? Thank You .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your dermatitis could be either allergy to rubber or latex present in glove

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Latex Or rubber glove allergy is also a common cause of hand dermatitis.
Either you should use a cotton lined rubber glove Or a thin plastic sheet glove directly beneath rubber/ latex glove.
If the allergy worsens there is a risk of secondary bacterial infection.
You may take an off for a few days if your work permits but then when you resume work please use either cotton lined rubber glove Or a thin plastic sheet glove beneath rubber/ latex glove

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar