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What Causes Recurrent Itchy, Swollen, Black Skin On The Thumb?

Posted on Mon, 18 Jul 2016

Question: Dear doctor, revently ive been experiencing this recurring issue where the skin on my thumb becomes very itchy, the swollen and then it becomes black. It start from outside my thumbnail area. Any odea what it could be? Ive been applying bactorban. It heals itsslf by shedding the black skin and going back to normal. Only for it to re occur again in few weeks.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like dermatitis, use steroid cream and oral antihistaminic

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I have reviewed the attached photograph and it looks like dermatitis.
Do you apply or use anything on your thumb?
Does it affect other fingers?
Do you have family or personal history of hay fever and asthma?
In such cases I recommend my patients to apply steroid like Clobetasol propionate cream or betamethasone cream on the affected areas twice daily for 10-14 days along with antihistaminic like tablet Loratidine 10 mg once or twice daily depending on the intensity of itching.
Steroidal creams are prescription drugs and you need to see the doctor in person to get them.
I hope to have answered your query and would be happy to clarify any further doubts.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

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. Naveen Kumar