Why Do I Have Hands That Look Like I Have RA When All Tests Are Normal?

Posted on Fri, 20 Jul 2018

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

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 Answered on

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : Every since I was a child my hands have looked like an old lady's hands. I am 41 now and I'm still self conscious about it but just thought my skin was very dry. Lotion helps but I've had more than one doctor, since the age of 15, just by looking at my hands ask if I have rheumatoid arthritis. I've had two tests done at different points in my life because the doctors were just curious based on how they looked. They have all come out negative but my hands are so ugly. Even with my gorgeous wedding ring I don't like displaying my hands. Why have they always been like that and is there anything I can do about it?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Moisturizing cream, vitamin C serum, Botox injections

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your hands seem to be dry and dehydrated. If I was your treating doctor I would recommend you to keep them moisturized by regular application of a moisturizing cream containing white soft paraffin 3-4 times during the day.

Also use a vitamin C serum on the hands at night. Besides this, you can go for hand rejuvenation by getting Botox injections on the hands.

Regards,
Dr. Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy