Recurring Blistering Rash for 15 Years
The term 'rash' seems inadequate to describe what I’m experiencing, but I’m unsure of a better descriptor. I am a 35-year-old female currently taking Contrave, vitamin D, and occasionally Advil PM or melatonin. My medical background includes no allergies throughout my childhood; however, following a pregnancy at the age of 28, I started to develop various food, drug, and contact allergies. My intolerances now encompass egg, wheat, nickel, gold, and amoxicillin. Additionally, I have several environmental allergies for which I consult an allergist and have been administering immunotherapy injections bi-weekly for the past year. It seems unlikely that this condition is connected to my environmental allergies, given that I have relocated across the country five times in the last 15 years, and the issue persists regardless of location. Since my early twenties, I have been plagued by intensely itchy and painful blisters on my hands. Occasionally, I might observe just one or two blisters, but at times, there are clusters. When I inadvertently scratch them open, which I know I shouldn’t do, they can release a clear, weeping fluid or a small amount of milky fluid. To minimize irritation, I always wear gloves while washing dishes or cleaning. Notably, these blisters are confined to my hands, specifically the sides depicted in the photos. During my sole visit to a dermatologist regarding this issue, I received little more than a shrug and a prescription for a steroid cream, which proved ineffective. Interestingly, the only time I haven’t dealt with this condition was during my pregnancies, when it would completely resolve for about a year, only to inevitably reappear.
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 11:20:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing a frustrating and painful skin condition that has persisted for many years, primarily affecting your hands. The description of intensely itchy, blistering rashes that occasionally weep fluid suggests that this could be a form of dermatitis or a similar skin reaction, possibly connected to your allergies or sensitivities.
Explanation
Given your history of developing food, drug, and contact allergies, along with the specific nature of your symptoms (localized to your hands and showing improvement during pregnancy), it's important to consider possibilities such as eczema (atopic dermatitis) or dyshidrotic eczema. These conditions can lead to blistering and itching, and are often triggered by allergies, stress, or environmental factors. The fact that you are actively undergoing allergy treatment and have had no change in symptoms suggests a complex interaction of factors.
Next Steps
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Avoid Triggers: Continue wearing gloves during activities that might irritate your skin, such as washing dishes or cleaning. Additionally, consider using a mild, fragrance-free soap and a heavy moisturizer regularly to help protect your skin barrier.
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Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your flare-ups, including what activities you were engaged in, any new products you used (including soaps, lotions, and cleaning agents), and dietary changes. This might help identify any specific triggers.
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Seek Specialist Care: Since the steroid cream prescribed was ineffective, it may be beneficial to revisit a dermatologist, ideally one who specializes in eczema or chronic skin conditions. Express your concerns thoroughly and mention the lack of improvement with previous treatments.
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Consider Patch Testing: If not previously done, you might want to ask about patch testing for allergies related to topicals or specific materials that could come into contact with your skin, especially given your history of developing new allergies.
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Explore Topical Treatments: Ask about alternative treatments if steroids are ineffective. Options like calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) or phototherapy may be worth discussing.
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Monitor Stress Levels: Stress can exacerbate intense itching and flaring of skin conditions, so integrating stress-reducing activities such as mindfulness, yoga, or gentle exercise could have a positive impact.
Feel free to follow up with any updates or further questions as you navigate this condition. You're not alone in this, and there are paths toward relief and improvement.
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