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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Be The Reason For Dry, Chapped Skin On Hands After Washing Hands Repeatedly?

I have what appeared to be dry skin on my thumb from washing my hands over and over. It cracked and was painful. I've had this happen before, and by dabbing a bit of superglue on it to prevent the cracks from deepening, they just healed right up. I stopped using the superglue because it seemed to come off and take more skin with it, and then it seemed to heal up, but washing hands as much as I do, it started right up again. I have used chap stick and other things to keep it moist. It goes right up to the edge of my nail. Now it has a pink ring around the edgeand looks a little puffy. and the irritated part is about the size of a dime. I have no idea what it is.
posted on Sun, 26 Jan 2014
Twitter Sun, 26 Jan 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 27 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM

I would keep a possibility of eczematous dermatitis with possible secondary infection.

In such a case i would prescribe an Oral antibiotic (penicillin group) for a week for secondary infection.

Repeated unnecessary washing completely dries up the skin because it extracts all the moisture content from the skin. I would recommend a glycerin based soap.

Use a good moisturizer cream immediately after washing the hands and frequently thereafter, to trap the moisture and keep the skin soft and hydrated.

A topical potent steroid+antibiotic combination cream for 2-4 weeks twice daily would help in resolving the eczematous dermatitis.

An OTC antihistamine e.g cetrizine once daily would help in controlling the itch associated with it.

take care
regards
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What Could Be The Reason For Dry, Chapped Skin On Hands After Washing Hands Repeatedly?

Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM I would keep a possibility of eczematous dermatitis with possible secondary infection. In such a case i would prescribe an Oral antibiotic (penicillin group) for a week for secondary infection. Repeated unnecessary washing completely dries up the skin because it extracts all the moisture content from the skin. I would recommend a glycerin based soap. Use a good moisturizer cream immediately after washing the hands and frequently thereafter, to trap the moisture and keep the skin soft and hydrated. A topical potent steroid+antibiotic combination cream for 2-4 weeks twice daily would help in resolving the eczematous dermatitis. An OTC antihistamine e.g cetrizine once daily would help in controlling the itch associated with it. take care regards