Extreme Wrinkling of Hands After Contact with Water – Is It Aquagenic Keratoderma? Seeking Insights and Treatment Experiences
Greetings, At 25 years old, I find myself facing an unusual and painful predicament that has persisted for the last three months. Whenever any water touches my palms, they become profoundly wrinkled, rough, and take on a texture similar to sandpaper. It’s more than a mere aesthetic issue; the coarse skin has made it nearly impossible for me to wash my face without feeling as though I’m rubbing it against something abrasive. After doing some research, I believe my symptoms align closely with a condition known as aquagenic keratoderma. I have attempted various basic creams and protective measures, but none have produced any relief. This situation has significantly impacted me, causing both physical discomfort and emotional distress. Therefore, I would like to reach out for assistance: 👉 Has anyone experienced aquagenic keratoderma and successfully found a way to recover? 👉 Are there any dermatology experts or healthcare professionals who can suggest effective treatments or therapies? Any input, whether it be advice or personal experiences, would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you for your support!
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 8:31:11 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a frustrating and uncomfortable skin condition that’s significantly affecting your daily life. The symptoms you describe, particularly the extreme wrinkling and rough texture of your palms after contact with water, suggest you may indeed be experiencing aquagenic keratoderma, which can lead to skin changes and discomfort upon contact with water.
Explanation
Aquagenic keratoderma is characterized by thickening of the skin in response to water exposure. It can cause the skin to feel rough, dry, and even painful in certain cases. While treatment can be challenging, understanding the management options can help alleviate some of your discomfort.
Next Steps
Here are some prioritized steps you can take to help manage your condition:
-
Moisturizing Routine:
- Use a thick, emollient cream, preferably one that contains ingredients like urea, lactic acid, or glycerin. Apply this generously to your hands before and after exposure to water.
- Consider using occlusive gloves over the moisturizer when you know you’ll be in contact with water, to help retain moisture.
-
Avoid Water Exposure:
- Try to minimize the amount of time your hands spend in water. Consider using protective gloves while washing dishes or during activities where your hands are frequently wet.
- When washing your face, use a damp cloth instead of splashing water directly onto your hands.
-
Gentle Exfoliation:
- You may benefit from gentle exfoliation practices. Consider using a mild exfoliating scrub once a week to help reduce the rough texture of your skin.
- Be careful not to scrub too hard; the goal is to smooth the skin without causing irritation.
-
Topical Treatments:
- Speak with a healthcare provider or dermatologist about the use of topical retinoids, which may help in skin renewal.
- If over-the-counter options are not effective, they may prescribe more potent topical medications or treatments that can provide relief.
-
Keep a Symptom Diary:
- Track your symptoms, including any specific triggers (types of water, products used, etc.) and responses to treatments. This information can be useful if you consult a dermatologist.
-
Seek Support Groups or Online Communities:
- Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide you with support, ideas for coping strategies, and validation.
If you find that your symptoms persist or worsen despite these measures, or if they begin to affect other areas of your life significantly, it’s important to consult with a dermatologist. They can provide targeted treatments and guidance based on the latest research and practices regarding aquagenic keratoderma.
Please remember you’re not alone in this, and there are ways to explore relief. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further assistance.
Related Questions
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods