Hi
Sorry for bursting in without the niceties of introducing myself but I am quite desperate. I was diagnosed with RA just over a year ago and my latest symptom/accompanying condition which I can't remember the medical term for is itchy hands. This started about a month ago and today it is driving me mad - palms, backs of hands and between fingers - and I don't know how to relieve it without ending up with red raw skin from scratching.
Does any one else get this and have a remedy?
I have had that...for short periods...felt like atheletes foot of the fingers...but it wasnt and eventually went away...my eyes would water stopping myself from scratching...but I don't know what causes it or how to stop it sorry
That was my first symptom. At the time, my doctor and I thought I had an airborne allergy. I took Benadryl and used Calamine lotion. In addition to having it on my palms, I had it on the sides of my feet. It was a very hard spot to scratch with any relief. Hope my cures help you like they did me.I've had itchy fingers for many years. After they itch, they swell twice their regular size. I also had allergies as a child and I took clariton on a regular basis and ran my hands through very warm water. That did help. Try some anti bacterial soap as well, that also helped me.
Good luck!
What about a mild cortisone relieving cream? We can get one over the counter in NZ called Skin Calm http://www.onlinepharmacynz.com/product/347/Skincalm_0_5_Cre am.htmlThank you all for responding.
My RA doc said it was 'something' vasculitus which is associated with the disease but made this diagnosis from a glance and my discription and offered no method of relief. This is the first time this intense itching has cropped up since I was diagnosed 14 months ago. My meds are low and haven't been changed. I don't know any fellow sufferers to 'compare notes' with so I'm not ready to just accept itching hands as another symptom of RA at this point.
Katie - I'm sure it's not psoriasis. 'Go straight to a dermatologist'? I'm in the UK, it can take two weeks just to see the front-line guys
Sharron - the intensity of the itching is like athletes foot and strangely enough I have been battling that for a few weeks lately! Dammit, I forgot to take my flip-flops to the pool just ONCE! I won't be getting that again
Meg - very warm water makes it worse, but on the plus side I can get out of doing the washing up
Thank you Panz and Wendy for your remedies. I'm seeing my gp on Monday for a second opinion.
Well that sucks. I dunno. I know it's common for people have skin conditions and not ever know it, or treat it properly. For some reason people think you'll just KNOW when you have a skin problem. That's like just KNOWING you have cancer. Anywho. From what you said to meg about hot water making it worse, just makes me wonder if it's from swelling. Your skin and veins aren't used to everything stretching so much. Maybe? That's how I get when it gets cold out and I swell really fast. If I swell slowly, everythings okay. I hope you figure something out! :( Good luck!I get exactly the same thing! They itch and then they swell. Mine often happens in the winter, but I don't know why. Putting them on a cool window pane feels so good!