Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Hand Dryness In A Teenager
Question: My 15 year old son has severe dryness on his hands (palms and fingers). It's not cracking as much as it is peeling and scratchy. What remedy or
ointment will work best?
ointment will work best?
Brief Answer:
Hand dermatitis. To find out the cause and treat as advised
Detailed Answer:
hello XXXX. Welcome to HCM
I am Dr Dinah and I'll be addressing your queries today.
I have taken a note of your son's complaints.
Before coming to a possible diagnosis, I'll need you to clarify a few things.
-Is this the first such episode or does he recurrently have such complaints, and since when?
-Any history of asthma, allergies or eczema as a child?
-Any fever prior to these symptoms?
-Any similar rashes, redness, peeling on feet soles, joints, face, scalp?
-Any recent outdoor activity or travel? Contact with chemicals, paint, thinners? Allergy to rubber gloves?
-Anyone else with similar complaints in the family or contacts circle?
-new medicines? Food allergies?
It seems to be a type of hand eczema from your description. We first need to check for the possible cause of the complaints. Try and narrow down on factors or triggers that could have started or aggravated the complaints. The clarifications would help us do so. Eczemas or allergies tend to be recurrent, so avoiding triggers helps avoid recurrence.
other options we need to look at are skin peeling or exfoliation due to fever or during recovery, possible fungal infection on the palms , palmar psoriasis, etc.
Treatment for eczema requires warm soaks for a few minutes, followed by moisturization with a urea or ammonium lactate based cream at night to help the peeling skin. During the day apply regular moisturizer. Redness and itchiness requires application of a steroid cream for 10-15 days till it completely heals. Antihistamines like benadryl can be taken daily to control allergy and reduce itching.
Do get back to me with these answers. You may send in any image if you wish.
You can start on the treatment advised for now but do see your dermatologist to confirm this and to rule out other similar looking conditions and fungal infection by testing. This is important as treatments will need to be added or changed.
Also feel free to contact me with any other doubts you may have.
Hand dermatitis. To find out the cause and treat as advised
Detailed Answer:
hello XXXX. Welcome to HCM
I am Dr Dinah and I'll be addressing your queries today.
I have taken a note of your son's complaints.
Before coming to a possible diagnosis, I'll need you to clarify a few things.
-Is this the first such episode or does he recurrently have such complaints, and since when?
-Any history of asthma, allergies or eczema as a child?
-Any fever prior to these symptoms?
-Any similar rashes, redness, peeling on feet soles, joints, face, scalp?
-Any recent outdoor activity or travel? Contact with chemicals, paint, thinners? Allergy to rubber gloves?
-Anyone else with similar complaints in the family or contacts circle?
-new medicines? Food allergies?
It seems to be a type of hand eczema from your description. We first need to check for the possible cause of the complaints. Try and narrow down on factors or triggers that could have started or aggravated the complaints. The clarifications would help us do so. Eczemas or allergies tend to be recurrent, so avoiding triggers helps avoid recurrence.
other options we need to look at are skin peeling or exfoliation due to fever or during recovery, possible fungal infection on the palms , palmar psoriasis, etc.
Treatment for eczema requires warm soaks for a few minutes, followed by moisturization with a urea or ammonium lactate based cream at night to help the peeling skin. During the day apply regular moisturizer. Redness and itchiness requires application of a steroid cream for 10-15 days till it completely heals. Antihistamines like benadryl can be taken daily to control allergy and reduce itching.
Do get back to me with these answers. You may send in any image if you wish.
You can start on the treatment advised for now but do see your dermatologist to confirm this and to rule out other similar looking conditions and fungal infection by testing. This is important as treatments will need to be added or changed.
Also feel free to contact me with any other doubts you may have.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
