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What Do Itchy Bumps On The Hand Indicate?
hello.... I have small tiny bumps(on my left hand) for a few weeks now...I thought at first it was just a normal case of poison ivy. but is defiantly not that itchy small bump rash like spreads a little but not much itching flares up later in the day and evening I can scratch to open a wound.... but try not to do so. does not seem to heal itself has not been annoying enough to seek a doctors opinion yet since it wont go away.... It is spreading a little more over the last few days so I seek an opinion please al
Tue, 25 Oct 2016
Hi there,
Two things come to mind when you describe the kind of intense itch that makes you scratch until you open a wound- the first is some sort or dermatitis or eczema, and the second is scabies.
Things that make it more likely to be an allergy/dermatitis - do you have a tendency to allergy or skin rash? Any contact with new soaps, jewellery, creams, habits? Does it look quite inflamed and red when it flares up?
Things that make it more likely to be scabies - any contact with anyone else with an itchy rash? Can you see black spots within some of the bumps? Is the itching typically more at night? Has it spread elsewhere on the body?
A eczema-type reaction can be easily resolved with a mild steroid cream like hydrocortison, while scabies will need to be treated with lotions containing permethrin to kill the mites. Take note to launder all your sheets/towels/clothing on the day that you treat yourself for scabies to avoid re-infection, and if possible treat anyone else that you are in close contact/share a house with.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Teh
Two things come to mind when you describe the kind of intense itch that makes you scratch until you open a wound- the first is some sort or dermatitis or eczema, and the second is scabies.
Things that make it more likely to be an allergy/dermatitis - do you have a tendency to allergy or skin rash? Any contact with new soaps, jewellery, creams, habits? Does it look quite inflamed and red when it flares up?
Things that make it more likely to be scabies - any contact with anyone else with an itchy rash? Can you see black spots within some of the bumps? Is the itching typically more at night? Has it spread elsewhere on the body?
A eczema-type reaction can be easily resolved with a mild steroid cream like hydrocortison, while scabies will need to be treated with lotions containing permethrin to kill the mites. Take note to launder all your sheets/towels/clothing on the day that you treat yourself for scabies to avoid re-infection, and if possible treat anyone else that you are in close contact/share a house with.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Teh
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