Dry, cracked, swollen, painful fingers/thumb.

I just started having this problem on my thumbs.  I've had a dry/scaly patch on the shin of my left leg for at least a year, and have put every cream/moisurizer/etc on it with no help.  The Dr. thought it might be ringworm, but none of those creams worked either.  I had kind of forgotten about it until last week I started developing a similar patch on the inside of my left arm, and now have a small patch of red bumps on the top of my left hand, and just above the knuckle on my left ring finger.  These aren't really painful, but just itch sometimes, so I tend to forget they're there.  However, about a week and a half ago, the tip of my right thumb started drying out.  I put moisturizers, ringworm creams, antibiotics on it, and nothing has helped.  It's only from the top knuckle up on my right thumb, and is now incredibly painful, dry, tight, and yesterday the skin on the top of my thumb split open, and now it's been throbbing nonstop.  I just noticed this afternoon that there is a sensitive patch of skin on the tip of my left thumb now, and looks like it's starting to dry out.  I am going to make an appointment with a dermatologist, because the pain in my thumb is constant and it's completely disgusting to look at.  I'm fearful that the Dr. won't be able to figure it out given all these previous posts with no diagnosis.  I saw somebody mentioned fingertip eczema, which I've never heard of, so I'll be asking the Dr. about that.  I've also looked into what psoriasis looks like, and am concernered it might be that.  In any case, I'll be seeing a Dr. and will post any findings or diagnosis.  This is a very painful and ugly thing to be dealing with, and my heart goes out to all of you suffering through it as well.

I'm a 31 year old female, by the way.

I have cracked thumb tips and seal the cracks with New Skin which I believe is similar to Liquid Bandaid.  This stops the pain and provides at least a few days of relief.

I have had the same issue. I use a lotion called Borage, from a company called Shikai (bought at Whole Foods) this has helped me and several other people I have recommended it to. Some older ladies at my husbands work are now using it love it also because it seems to be removing brown age spots from their hands--now they're using it on their faces as well! I haven't tried it on my face but it sure helps my hands. I hope this helps, God bless.

Morgellons disease is mysterious and controversial. Here you'll find answers to common questions about Morgellons disease — and suggestions for coping with it. By Mayo Clinic staff

Morgellons disease is the popular name for an unexplained skin disorder characterized by disfiguring sores and crawling sensations on and under the skin. Morgellons disease also features fibers or solid materials emerging from these sores.

Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that Morgellons disease, which they refer to as an unexplained dermopathy, isn't caused by an infection or parasites. Fibers found in the sores are usually wisps of cotton thread, probably coming from clothing or bandages.

CDC experts note that the signs and symptoms of Morgellons disease are very similar to those of a mental illness involving false beliefs about infestation by parasites (delusional parasitosis).

What are the signs and symptoms of Morgellons disease?

People who have Morgellons disease report the following signs and symptoms:

Skin rashes or sores that can cause intense itchingCrawling sensations on and under the skin, often compared to insects moving, stinging or bitingFibers, threads or black stringy material in and on the skinSevere fatigueDifficulty concentratingShort-term memory loss

The intense itching and open sores associated with Morgellons disease can severely interfere with a person's quality of life.

How widespread is Morgellons disease?

Morgellons disease is a relatively rare condition that most frequently affects middle-aged white women. A cluster of cases occurred in California, which prompted the CDC to conduct a research study to determine if the cases were somehow related.

What do researchers know about Morgellons disease?

CDC researchers found no evidence that Morgellons disease is caused by an infectious agent or a substance in the environment. Researchers studied samples of skin, blood, urine and hair. Half of the hair samples tested positive for drugs such as marijuana, anti-anxiety medications or painkillers containing codeine derivatives.

Skin lesions most closely resembled insect or spider bites that had been worsened by scratching. The most commonly affected sites were the forearms, back, chest, face and lower legs. Some of the lesions were infected by germs commonly found on the skin, but these infections were not the cause of the lesions. No parasites were detected.

But CDC researchers weren't able to determine if Morgellons disease is a new disorder or simply another name for delusional parasitosis.

How controversial is Morgellons disease?

Current attitudes toward Morgellons disease fall into various categories:

Some health professionals believe that Morgellons disease is a specific condition that needs to be confirmed by future research.Some health professionals believe that signs and symptoms of Morgellons disease are caused by another condition, often mental illness.Other health professionals don't acknowledge Morgellons disease or are reserving judgment until more is known about the condition.

Some people who suspect they have Morgellons disease claim they've been ignored or dismissed as fakers. In contrast, some doctors say that people who report signs and symptoms of Morgellons disease typically resist other explanations for their condition.

How can you cope with the signs and symptoms of Morgellons disease?

The signs and symptoms linked to Morgellons disease can be distressing. Even though health professionals may disagree about the nature of the condition, you deserve compassionate treatment. To manage your signs and symptoms:

Establish a caring health care team. Find a doctor who acknowledges your concerns and does a thorough examination.Be patient. Your doctor will likely look for known conditions that point to evidence-based treatments before considering a diagnosis of Morgellons disease.Keep an open mind. Consider various causes for your signs and symptoms, and follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment — which may include long-term mental health therapy.Seek treatment for other conditions. Get treatment for anxiety, depression or any other condition that affects your thinking, moods or behavior.

I'm 23 and I have always had problem/sensitive skin prone to cracking especially in winter. Just in the last month the pad of my right thumb is displaying all the listed symptoms and I have tried almost everything. Many oils included (they work great for my hair and the rest of my body but have done NOTHING for my thumb). Thought perhaps it was some type of fungal infection but my dermatologist doesn't think so. Diet could certainly be a factor., but as for coconut oil, if it works for you/him as a treatment that's WONDERFUL, but personally it has not helped this condition for me.

I too have this problem and have has the presciption creams and ointments with little success.

My dr ordered a blood test for auto immune, still waiting on results. apparently aoto immune mimics eczema like symptoms on one part of body such as fingers which is most common area to start, My eczema has gotten worse since this started and has spead to my forearms,(the dry itchyness not the cracking thankfully) Maybe you should ask your dr about possibility of it being auto immune

Diaper rash cream with 37-40% zinc

Last week a friend told me about having black hairy tongue. His doctor advised using a toothbrush on the back of my friend's tongue with a weak solution of peroxide. Black hairs about 1-1/2 inches long were removed. Caused by bacteria.

I have the same exact problem. It has been going on for a couple years. Medications and ointments only provide temporary relief...it seems to come in waves. I recently had blood work done (for something else) and found that I am extremely sensitive to casein protein found in dairy products. I've noticed recently when I have ice cream or milk my fingertips get really bad. I remembered that the 2 months I went off of dairy my fingertips were perfect...no symptoms. I also have joint problems, and they go hand-in-hand with my fingertip problems. I believe it is an inflammatory response...possibly autoimmune. I don't want this to escalate in the future to arthritis or something else of that nature, so I'm going to try going off of dairy and see if I can keep it away!

I have suffered with same problem, sore cracked bleeding fingers for about 4 years, it has been a nightmare tried all sorts of creams over the counter and prescribed, steroid creams etc. Even soaked my fingers in cider ginger as someone had posted this helps IT DOESNT. Getting hands wet makes its worse so have had to bath my baby whilst wearing rubber gloves for 18 months! have tried changing soaps, not using soaps etc. seen a dermatologist who said it is eczema prescribed new creams still no relief would get better for a few weeks then revert back to painful cracked, split bleeding fingers then whilst trying to lose my baby weight I went on a now carb diet and my fingers started to heel. I thought maybe it's gluten have since started a gluten free diet and moisterise with AVEENO oat hand cream and they are finally heeling. I have spent years trawling the Internet for a solution and thought there was no cure even my doctor dismissed it could be an allergy and that it would be a way of life for me! Do you know how hard it is to not be able to bath your baby unless you were rubber gloves. I am over the moon that my hands are healing it's taken 2 months but they are definitely healing and I just want to share this as I know how hard it is. Even getting dressed was chore as my fingers were so sore. Water still irritates them but they are the best they have ever been and I have not worn plasters for 2 weeks. So if your reading this I URGE YOU to try a gluten free diet it has definitely worked for me. It's tough but supermarkets do offer a pretty good range of gluten free products my favourite is sainsburys. I really hope my post helps you as I have been searching for an answer for years and gluten free has been life changing for me

The only thing I find that helps with swollen cracked finger tips is Blistex Lip Medex
Put it in at night on the finger tips it helps relief the pain. /This product comes in a small blue jar and also I have a tube I use when I am out during the day if my fingers get really sore.

Yes I'm 53 female have same issue both hands tried coconut oil olive oil helped better sevreal rx oinments nothing curing it just tempory relief found stress makes mine worse

Hi, i have the same problem for the last 2 months. It is just on my right hand little finger.. only tip. It is something related to the winters?

Agreed, 5 years of every creme and ointment imaginable and multiple MD visits and tests. Started researching on my own, suspecting food allergies. Peanut butter and dairy products are what set me off. One day after either the fingertips swell then fell waxy then crack.