OpenHealth Q&A

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Skin & Hair Questions

Could I Be Experiencing Hand-Exclusive Eczema?

At 16, I've generally enjoyed good health without any significant problems. However, over the last few weeks, I've developed a troubling, red, textured patch on my hand that seems to be deteriorating. Occasionally, it itches, and my attempts to soothe it have resulted in minor cuts that occasionally bleed. Incidentally, I encountered a similar issue last summer on the back of my left hand. That spot was larger and extended to my wrist, but I can't recall how I managed to treat it—eventually, it simply disappeared on its own. Even now, there remains a rough, textured area where that patch used to be. Seeking advice, I turned to a dermatology forum, where several users speculated it could be scabies or ringworm. However, I find that hard to believe for several reasons: First, I am unaware of anyone in my vicinity who would likely have contacted scabies, such as those in prisons or hospitals. Second, although I share clothes with my siblings, I'm the only one experiencing this skin issue. Finally, the condition is isolated to the back of my hand—there are no other affected areas on my body. Additionally, although it may be unrelated, I've also dealt with a separate concern exclusively affecting my hands. Occasionally, tiny itchy bumps appear on the sides of my fingers, which are intolerable to resist scratching. While I've never had these break the skin, I've applied anti-itch ointments in the past without success. They tend to vanish and then reappear unexpectedly, adding to my frustration.

DermatologyRashEczema
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Knee Skin Issue: What Could It Be?

Hello! I hope you can help me with a concern I have about my knee. I’m a 20-year-old woman, standing at 160 cm and weighing 70 kg. Recently, I've noticed a troublesome patch on my knee. This area has become scaly and itchy, and it first appeared during my early teenage years. Initially, it manifested on my right knee as a tiny cluster of itchy bumps. Despite being small, scratching the area made it bleed and seemed to exacerbate the size of the irritation. Eventually, I also observed that the same patch developed on my left knee as well. After a while, I decided to consult a physician about this issue. Although I didn’t receive a concrete diagnosis, I was prescribed a topical ointment. Unfortunately, the cream didn’t have any labeling and I don’t know the specific ingredients, as it was a custom mix from the office. Thankfully, after applying it for some time, the patches on both knees cleared up entirely. However, a few years later, the condition returned. Two years back, I had a minor incident where I cut my right knee. The wound was small, roughly 1 cm, and I chose to let it heal naturally. This left me with a scar, which initially seemed fine for about a year. Then out of nowhere, the scar began to itch a bit. It was dry at first, leading me to peel off the dead skin, but soon the itchiness intensified, prompting me to scratch it. Now, I see that the irregularity is spreading again. It resembles the earlier issue, yet this time it’s smoother rather than scaly, although it’s just as itchy. I still have some of the ointment from the doctor’s visit, and applying it seems to relieve the itchiness temporarily. Just before I used the cream again, the area appeared to be inflamed due to persistent scratching. So, I am wondering what this could be. Is it wise to consult a dermatologist regarding this skin condition? I did some research online and the symptoms I've experienced in the past seem to align with psoriasis pictures, but the current manifestation, while spreading similarly, does not exhibit the same scaly characteristic. Thank you for taking the time to read my message. I apologize for the length and any confusion in my explanations, as English isn’t my first language. Wishing you all a great day!

MolesPsoriasisDry Skin
Male25-34
14 hours ago