Peeling and irritation between fingers: causes and treatment

Redness between the fingers is very often noted by parents in their children. As you know, children are very curious; they learn about the outside world by touching various objects. When playing on a playground where there is dirty sand, picking up twigs and pebbles from the ground, a huge amount of pathogenic bacteria gets on their hands, which can cause redness and rash. There are other causes of red spots between the fingers; they can be of viral etiology or be the result of insufficient hygiene. A doctor can determine exactly what caused the redness between the fingers based on a visual examination and a series of laboratory tests.

Causes of irritation and symptoms

Often such irritations are just a consequence of nervous stress, taking medications, diseases of internal organs or an allergic reaction, but in some cases it is an independent disease that requires medical intervention or treatment with folk remedies. This type of illness occurs for a number of common reasons.

Fungus

The most famous and common origin of this disease. The development of the disease occurs in several stages:

Fungus on the hands is accompanied by redness, itching, and the formation of blisters that may bleed.

• redness;
• the formation of blisters that bleed from minor injuries;
• inflammation process;
• itching, accompanied by burning and the appearance of a scaly covering.

Bacterial infections that cause irritation between the fingers can be deep or superficial. But in any case, this is an infectious (contagious) disease transmitted by contact.

The area between the fingers is an ideal springboard for the development of fungi, because the folds of the skin here are as warm and moist as possible. In this case, doctors call a fungal infection shingles.

In some cases, folliculitis may occur due to the spread of a fungus that can develop in the hair, nails and skin scales.

Eczema

The second most popular cause of skin irritation and intolerable itching between the fingers is eczema. The disease develops in several stages. First - the appearance of small blisters and severe itching, then peeling and thickening of the skin occurs. The last stage is cracks and pigmentation.

People in the following professions are most susceptible to this disease:

— employees of manufacturing enterprises, primarily the chemical industry;

— doctors and medical staff;

— construction workers: masons, painters, plasterers;

— workers whose work involves cleaning streets and premises, removing waste;

- hairdressers, manicurists, pedicurists and the like;

- working areas of agriculture and horticulture;

- food industry workers.

The most well-known substance that causes irritation upon short-term direct contact, leading to itching and redness between the fingers, is chlorine. Eczema occurs during long-term contact with seemingly harmless substances: soap, detergents, sweat gland secretions, and even ordinary water.

Eczema can occur due to prolonged contact with an irritant, such as chlorine.

The occurrence of contact dermatitis is also provoked by disruption of the endocrine system, decreased immunity, wearing jewelry that is closely adjacent to the skin, or ordinary dry hands. Below is a list of factors that increase the likelihood of this disease:

• previous similar skin ailments;
• constant contact of hands with disinfectants and any chemicals;
• prolonged exposure of the skin of the hands to a humid environment;
• frequent and excessive hand washing, leading to the destruction of the protective layer of the skin;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• genetic predisposition.

Scabies

The most unpleasant cause of irritation is scabies - a dangerous, contact-transmitted rash caused by scabies mites.

Scabies is a very unpleasant and dangerous disease transmitted through household contact.

After a couple of weeks from the moment the skin is damaged by these parasites, redness, itching and steamy blisters appear.

Carefully! These mites are frequent guests of your bed linen, pillows, blankets and upholstered furniture. It is worth cleaning your furniture regularly to avoid contact with them. Irritation is caused by damage to the skin between the fingers, on the wrists and sides of the palm.

Allergic dermatitis

Allergies can cause irritation. Itching and redness are caused by skin contact with an allergen - a substance that is most often harmless, but is a strong irritant for the sensitive skin of a certain person. This reaction is called allergic contact dermatitis.

Allergens are most often found in chemical compounds in detergents, medications and cosmetics.

There is a similar, but more acute type of disease - atopic dermatitis. In this case, contact with human skin is not necessary; it is enough to swallow or inhale the allergen. Most often, children get it because of their curiosity and desire to taste everything. Self-medication with traditional methods in this case is useless.

If you wash dishes with detergents without gloves, allergic dermatitis may occur.

Ringworm

If noticeable changes are observed in the skin of domestic animals, and the hands of their owners itch between the fingers, then the cause is clearly lichen. This disease is caused by a fungal infection and quickly spreads throughout the skin of the entire body. The skin in this area will quickly begin to redden, itch and peel.

Traditional medicine will not help in this case. Only comprehensive drug treatment prescribed by a specialized specialist will be the key to a speedy recovery.

Treatment of lichen cannot be left halfway, because it will quickly appear again with a weakened immune system or viral diseases. A visit to the veterinarian is also necessary, because the source of the disease is the pet.

Ringworms, as a rule, appear in children and adults after contact with infectious animals, so your pet must be shown to a veterinarian

Tick-borne diseases

If the epidermis between the fingers is very peeling, this may indicate the presence of skin parasites - mites. Frequent “guests” of the skin of the hands are demodex and scabies mites. The first causes such an unpleasant disease as demodicosis, the second – scabies.

Tick-borne diseases are very difficult to treat. It is a deep misconception that they can be gotten rid of with the help of antibacterial drugs. Antimicrobial agents for this etiology of redness between the fingers will be powerless; more radical measures are needed here.

So, sulfur ointment helps a lot with scabies. It is also used quite often for demodicosis. The mechanism of action of this medicine is that it paralyzes the parasite - the scabies mite or demodex. As a result, he loses the opportunity not only to continue his life activities, but also to reproduce.

Xerosis

If the skin between the fingers cracks, there is peeling, and discomfort, this may indicate xerosis. This is not a parasitic, nor a bacterial or fungal pathology. This is a disease of “dry hands”, that is, it is accompanied by constant dryness of the epidermis of the hands, fingers and the spaces between them.

Many patients do not pay attention to the fact that their fingers itch intensely, and this is in vain, since constant scratching sooner or later leads to the formation of wounds and microcracks. Infection penetrates into them and infectious and inflammatory diseases develop.

Treatment for such redness and peeling between the fingers involves the use of desensitizing ointments and creams. The fact is that excessive dryness of the epidermis in most cases is caused by:

• low-quality or expired cosmetic products;
• abuse of antibacterial soaps;
• the use of products that dry out the skin;
• frequent temperature changes.

Dry skin between the fingers with xerosis can also result from prolonged exposure to the sun or cold. Chapping of the epidermis can also lead to this problem.

To remove irritation between your fingers, you need to carefully and seriously consider the choice of cream. It should be fatty and nutritious. It is ideal if the cosmetic product contains vitamins A, E, C and B, because they are extremely necessary for the skin.

If dryness between the fingers appears even in the interval between applying the cream, then you can use local medications based on the same panthenol. They have the ability to heal wounds and restore damaged tissue.

To prevent sores from appearing between the fingers during xerosis, you can lubricate the skin with Boro-Plus ointment from time to time. In special cases, it is allowed to resort to the use of Levomekol, especially if cracks and wounds have already begun to appear on the surface of the hands.

As you can see, there are quite a few explanations for the fact that the skin on your hands is peeling. The tactics of therapy will subsequently depend on what provoked such a symptom. Therefore, you should not neglect consulting a dermatologist, because only a specialist will be able to develop an individual treatment regimen that will help eliminate not only unpleasant manifestations, but also their root cause.

Obsessive itching is a very common symptom that can be localized in different parts of the body. Let's try to figure out what itching, as well as redness and peeling between the fingers, may indicate.

Other reasons

If none of the reasons is relevant, then there are several more factors that cause irritation between the fingers , which are worth knowing about in order to avoid making an incorrect diagnosis at home:

1. Dry skin (xerosis). This reason should not be ignored, because the use of disinfectants and antibacterial soap excessively dries out the skin of the hands. With a genetic predisposition to dry skin, redness and itching in certain people can even be caused by insufficiently humid air.

2. Burns of any nature, both domestic, caused by touching hot objects and scalding with boiling water, and sunburn, can cause irritation. Itching in this case is the reason for getting rid of dead cells and restoring the cover during the healing process of the burn.

Insect bites are another cause of hand irritation.

3. Insect bites often cause irritation, because the skin between the fingers is the thinnest and attracts mosquitoes, midges and all kinds of bugs. The cause of itching is a portion of poison injected into the human skin. The poison is not dangerous, but an allergic reaction is quite possible.

4. Diseases of internal organs are a rare, but not excluded, cause of irritation.

Kidney failure causes itching due to excess toxins in the body that are not removed due to kidney damage. A gallbladder that does not perform its function generates an excess of bile in the liver. For this reason, the latter enters the bloodstream, causing itching and redness of the skin. Pregnant women, whose bodies are experiencing multiple hormonal changes, should be especially careful.

5. Constant itching between the fingers, combined with high fever, weight loss and weakness, can become a litmus test when diagnosing a particularly dangerous type of blood cancer - lymphoma.

Therapy

Treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist. If the cause is diseases of the internal organs, then consultation with a specialist in the relevant field is recommended .

Medicines

To reduce itching and remove inflammation, the doctor prescribes antihistamines (Claritin, Suprastin, Fenistil, Cetrin).

To suppress bacteria, antibiotics are needed, prescribed by a doctor individually in accordance with the diagnosis and characteristics of the body. Erythromycin ointment is suitable for external treatment.

In the presence of fungal infections, hormonal ointments and creams are used, such as Clotrimazole, Ketonazole and Miconazole. Resorcinol, Rivanol, boric acid may be prescribed. Such therapy is carried out only after testing and confirmation of the presence of mycosis. Patients are not recommended to contact other people so as not to infect them.

Treatment of irritation

Of course, there are many ways to treat diseases with the symptoms described above. These include various non-traditional methods (baths, decoctions, lotions), and medicinal restoration of the skin. All of them are effective and worthy of attention in their own way. But no matter what degree of conservatism a person has, in most cases it is difficult or even impossible to do without consulting a specialist .

Folk remedies

Let's consider the most effective methods of traditional medicine designed to eliminate irritation between the fingers, taking into account the causes of its occurrence.

The following methods are popular for treating irritation caused by eczema:

1. Lightly boiled blueberries are applied in a thick layer to areas affected by eczema and bandaged with gauze. Changing this compress daily will lead to the complete disappearance of the rash.

Boiled blueberry compress will help get rid of rashes

2. The coltsfoot is ground in a meat grinder and poured with boiled milk until the mass reaches a pulp state. The resulting substance is applied to the skin between the fingers and wrapped in cellophane. Carry out similar procedures at night for 3 days and the irritation will disappear.

3. Mix a raw chicken egg, 9% vinegar and water, shake and let cool in the refrigerator. After 30 minutes, take it out and lubricate the affected areas with this ointment before going to bed.

4. Baths of sea salt dissolved in hot water are also very effective. After steaming, hands are dried with a soft towel and treated with a thin layer of ordinary baby cream.

For allergic dermatitis, the following recipes are used:

1. Duckweed (1 tsp), previously washed and dried, is poured with 50 ml of medical alcohol. The resulting mixture is infused for 7 days, after which it is filtered and squeezed. Take 15 drops of this solution in ¼ of a glass of boiled water orally 3 times a day, and the disease will easily evaporate.

2. And again duckweed. This time it needs to be dried and ground to a powder. Then mix with honey based on a ratio of 1 to 5. Small tablets (up to 2 grams) are molded from this substance and taken 1 piece at a time. 3-4 times a day.

3. Chopped celery root (2 tbsp) is poured with a glass of water and left for 3-4 hours. Drink 1/3 glass of this infusion 3 times a day.

An infusion of celery root should be drunk for allergic dermatitis.

For fungal infections in alternative medicine, the following recipes are considered the most effective:

1. Rub freshly squeezed tangerine juice into fungus-affected areas.

2. A decoction of young birch branches is a very effective method. Water with 3-4 birch branches soaked in it (the leaves are not torn off) is brought to a boil, cooled and filtered. Hand baths are made from the resulting decoction 3 times a day. Redness and itching will disappear in a couple of days.

3. Chopped burdock and dandelion roots (3 tablespoons) are mixed, 1 liter of water is poured in and infused for 8 hours. After this, the resulting tincture is boiled for 10 minutes and infused for the same amount of time. The broth is filtered and taken ½ cup before meals and at night (5 times a day).

A decoction of dandelion and burdock roots is used for fungal diseases

Health care

In any case, a course of treatment for irritation between the fingers, based on the cause of its occurrence, is prescribed by a dermatologist.

Depending on the cause of irritation, antiviral and antifungal agents are used, as well as hormonal and non-hormonal ointments. One article is not enough to describe them all, but several of them received the best recommendations from pharmacists:

1. Nezulin cream-gel is used for local treatment of irritation between the fingers. Relieves inflammation, helps eliminate irritation as much as possible and stop obsessive itching, increases the protective functions of the skin.

2. Wilkinson's ointment for external use helps effectively combat mites that cause scabies. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal and antiparasitic properties.

3. The antihistamine drug “Cetrin” does not depress the central nervous system, eliminates the causes of allergies and discomfort associated with itching, and relieves irritation.

How to treat fungus?

We insist on comprehensive treatment. Moreover, you need to start it first of all with means that increase immunity, relieve concomitant endocrine diseases, blood and digestive diseases, fortify the body and special nutrition. Sweets, alcohol, spicy foods and fatty foods are excluded from the diet. Tinctures of echinacea, ginseng and eleutherococcus extract have proven themselves to be quite good.

If a doctor has diagnosed a fungus between your fingers, he will treat them using ointments, gels, creams or solutions.

In the case of candidiasis, this will probably be 1-2% solutions of aniline dyes, nystatin, levorin, nizoral, lamisil (excellently relieves burning and itching), iodine, and finally (but not necessarily).

In addition, an antifungal drug is prescribed (orally), for example, tablets or capsules of fluconazole or its analogues (Diflucan, Mycomax, etc.).

The dosage and frequency of taking medications (treatment regimen) is also prescribed by a dermatologist. This is especially important for the treatment of fungus in children, pregnant and nursing mothers. They are most often prescribed the less toxic Clotrimazole.

It is also important to tell your doctor about any chronic diseases you have, for example, kidneys, liver, heart; about allergies, etc. This will reduce the risk of them being provoked by treatment and increase the effectiveness of the latter.

The fungus between the fingers should be destroyed in two steps. First, this is the mechanical removal of damaged skin, peeling, rashes, and then the direct treatment of the disease. Treatment can last from a month to a year.

During treatment, it is necessary to strictly monitor hygiene - wash your hands often, wipe them dry, using disposable towels and scissors if possible. Files, gloves and towels must be disinfected and washed at high temperatures with the addition of soda.

In addition, you should treat your hands with antiseptic solutions twice a day, avoid sweating, and if this happens, immediately take a hygienic shower.

Any topical preparation must be used correctly - before applying the product, your hands must be washed and treated with an antiseptic solution. The drug should be applied to dry skin, carefully, without smearing it arbitrarily, but moving from the edges of the damaged skin to the center.

Treatment will be successful only with strict control over the regular use of medicinal products and compounds. Carrying out treatment from time to time, you will not cure the disease, but turn it into a chronic one, while the fungi parasitizing on your skin will become more resistant to the drugs used.

Traditional methods of treating fungus between the fingers

Regarding traditional methods of treatment: they sometimes give good results, but it is better to use them as part of complex treatment, as an addition to it.

For example, to relieve burning and itching and soothe your skin, you can:

• moisten it with a 9% solution of vinegar or tea tree oil
• make 15-minute baths with a solution of soda and salt, taken in equal parts (1 tablespoon per 2 liters of water) or baths with tea leaves, herbal infusions
• apply a paste of equal parts of raw onion and lemon, or a paste of salt and mint leaves, or a paste of garlic to the skin for 10-15 minutes
• keep your hands in natural tomato juice for 10-15 minutes
• apply an ointment of Vaseline and a decoction of hop cones (3 parts), calendula flowers (1 part) and dried burdock roots (1 part). The decoction is also useful in the form of 10-minute baths.
• Apply cosmetic clay diluted in water or infusion of chamomile (chamomile, sage) for 10-15 minutes. It can also be used as a powder.
• moisten a piece of gauze in a 2% novocaine solution and apply to the sore spot

What will happen if left untreated?

Our people are accustomed to letting such diseases take their course. Some of them are not so dangerous and can actually “resolve” on their own. But in most cases, this approach can lead to serious and unpleasant consequences.

This is especially true for irritations (including between the fingers) caused by fungal infections. The toxins released by fungi cause enormous harm to the body and lead to new dermatological diseases and affect internal organs.

The infection easily penetrates through the cracks formed and can cause blood poisoning, which can lead to amputation of a limb or lead to death.

If dermatological diseases are not treated, they can develop into cancer.

The disease can mutate into skin cancer. With a successful combination of circumstances, you can only get by with damaged or deformed skin with scars and cicatrices.

It is treatment from the first day that will protect the carrier of the disease from treatment that is sometimes financially prohibitive and poisonous to the body in the future.

There is also an aesthetic component: such skin rashes are extremely unpleasant for the eyes of others. The social life of people who refuse treatment for such diseases is reduced to a minimum, because no one wants to be infected through contact with a carrier.

Medicines

Ointments, creams, sprays, gels, solutions, and varnishes are used in treatment. List of medications used to combat itching and rashes between the fingers:

• Lerivon;
• Mycosporus;
• Nizoral;
• Ecodax;
• Binafin;
• Lamisil;
• Mifungar;
• nystatin;
• Travogen;
• Exoderil.

Most of these agents are highly effective against fungus and bacteria. They penetrate inside the pathogenic microorganism, causing disturbances in its vital functions, as a result of which it dies. The drugs do not cause side effects. However, many of them are prohibited for use by pregnant, lactating women and young children.

In some cases, fungus on the fingers becomes chronic. In such a situation, it is recommended to supplement the use of the above remedies with the following drugs:

• fluconazole;
• griseofulvin;
• Binafin;
• itraconazole;
• terbinafine

The treatment course for most of these drugs is 6 months. Medicines penetrate the body, destroying any type of fungus. The disadvantages of their use include a negative effect on the heart, liver and kidneys.

Among the drugs, those that contain menthol have gained particular popularity. This is due to their high efficiency. They help cope with burning, itching, and remove rashes. These non-hormonal agents can have a cooling effect. These include:

• menthol oil;
• Bom Benguet;
• Boromenthol.

They also use drugs that contain the following substances:

The preparations are rubbed into the skin of the palms in the following quantities:

These drugs practically do not penetrate into the body, so the risk of developing side effects due to their use is minimal. The usual duration of the treatment course is 15-20 days.

Novocain is used to relieve discomfort:

1. 1. Part of the cotton fabric is generously wetted in the preparation.
2. 2. The fabric is applied to the affected areas of the skin, as a result of which the burning stops and the pain eases.

If the disease does not respond to treatment or its symptoms spread to the nail plates, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diet against irritation on hands

A complete abstinence from consuming spicy, fatty, salty, spicy foods, including canned food, as well as tea, coffee and any alcohol, will help eliminate itching and overcome the disease as soon as possible.

It is worth avoiding foods high in carbohydrates as much as possible and limiting the consumption of any liquids.

It is recommended to eat dairy products, vegetables, fruits and herbs within normal limits, however, any food of plant origin is suitable.

Drinking carbonated drinks is strictly prohibited.

If your skin is irritated, eliminate soda from your diet.

Eczema

Very often, eczema begins with peeling and dry skin between the fingers.

This is a dermatological disease that manifests itself with the following symptoms:

1. thickening and peeling of the epithelium;
2. the appearance of a rash in the form of blisters;
3. the appearance of itching;
4. deterioration of skin color.

The nature of the disease is different - it occurs both as a result of ill health of the internal organs and as a reaction to chemicals.

Most often, people working in the fields of pharmaceuticals, construction, cosmetology, cleaning, agriculture, and food processing factories are susceptible to eczema.

The specificity of the treatment of this disease is such that, due to severe itching, patients scratch the affected areas of the skin until they bleed, which also causes a bacterial infection. In addition, small bubbles with liquid, skin thickening, and swelling appear. Eczema and allergies should not be confused, since these diseases have different natures and, accordingly, different treatments.

It is important to know! Eczema is a very dangerous disease, from which it is impossible to cure, since it goes into remission.

Preventing irritation between fingers

The basic principles of preventing irritation between the fingers are to protect, prevent and eliminate risk factors.

Firstly, this is to avoid contact with an irritant that causes an allergic reaction . In the case where the cause is scabies, the things of the carrier of the disease must be thoroughly washed and heat treated. These items should not be worn for about a week so that the remaining ticks and larvae die. It is advisable to do the same procedures with the belongings of the patient’s family members.

Other methods of prevention are taught to everyone since childhood:

An excellent way to prevent hand skin irritation is to wash them regularly.

• regular hand washing (but not often, so as not to destroy the protective layer of the skin),
• avoiding contact with objects of unknown origin, especially in medical institutions.

You should limit the consumed doses of solar radiation and avoid contact with animals whose grooming is in doubt.

Thus, for whatever reason, irritation occurs between the fingers, they require careful prevention and quality treatment to avoid serious consequences. Many methods of traditional medicine will certainly come to the aid of people who have a persistent phobia of doctors, but in most cases they cannot do without their help.

Treat your skin with care, and it will reciprocate. Be healthy.

How to determine the reasons why your hands itch:

Watch a useful video about treating dry and cracked skin on your hands:

What is finger allergy and how to treat it - you will learn from this video:

Allergic dermatitis

This disease is not contagious, its nature comes from the specifics of the immune system: when any harmful element appears, it tries to overcome it through a powerful release of histamine into the blood. As a result, the blood vessels dilate and a rash, inflammation, and itching appear on the skin. Therefore, even in this case, if redness appears between the fingers, it is necessary for an allergist to prescribe treatment.

There is a second scenario for the development of events. The first sign may be ordinary dry skin, which remains unattended and begins to develop.

Allergies can occur due to the action of various pathogens: plant pollen, chemicals, medications, animal hair, food additives, perfumes, building materials, insect bites. This subtype of allergic skin reaction, like urticaria, involves red spots with a circumference of about 10 cm. They can pass without a trace, but itching, fever and severe weakness persist for some time.