Rash on finger

definition

A skin rash, also called exanthema, is redness and rashes of the skin that arise as a result of allergic reactions, infectious causes, food or drug intolerance or other reasons.
A rash can cause small pimples, pustules, blisters and wheals, which can be very uncomfortable for the patient due to burning and itching.
One often speaks of so-called eczema of the fingers. This includes skin inflammations that have a non-infectious cause. The reasons for this are nevertheless numerous.

causes

Rashes on the finger can have many causes. In most cases, a rash is caused by an excessive release of the hormone histamine. This leads to allergy-like redness and irritation, including itching. The cause of the release of histamine are often allergies to environmental substances such as pollen or grass.

Read more on the topic Rash from pollen

Food, drinks, medication and other substances in the body can also trigger a hypersensitivity reaction.

In addition to intolerance, metabolic disorders can also lead to skin rashes. Thyroid inflammation and histamine breakdown disorders can cause the same symptoms.
Infectious inflammation, especially of the gastrointestinal tract, can also cause a rash on the finger as an accompanying symptom. The cause are pathogenic bacteria or viruses. The main infection is often found in the intestines. However, the vesicles on the skin do not contain any pathogens that cause disease.
More rarely, there is a physical cause. The hand reacts to stimuli such as pressure, light, water, heat and cold. The triggering factor should be avoided as much as possible.

It can also happen that the itchy rash typical of neurodermatitis does not appear in the usual places (flexor sides of the hand, elbow and knee joints, as well as on the head) but on the fingers and fingertips.

Learn more at: Neurodermatitis on the finger and fingernails

Concomitant symptoms

A rash initially appears as Redness a specific skin region. It happens suddenly and acutely. Small irregularly distributed ones can quickly become Pimples or Nodules form.In a few hours to days, the small nodules develop into papules, blisters or Whealswhich can be filled with a clear or milky liquid.
The rash can be uncomfortable burn or itch. The blisters and wheals usually resolve on their own within a few days. If the irritation persists, new skin changes form elsewhere.
With chronic courses, which are not uncommon, redness, nodules and blisters are present at the same time.

Blisters from a rash on your finger

Due to the inflammatory reaction of the skin, small lumps form within a few hours, which then also form Fill with water. In the process, the superficial layers of skin become detached from one another and an effusion of liquid occurs into this cavity. The vesicles can with a clear or milky liquid be filled, which is usually not infectious and contagious.

The blisters in the rash on the finger resolve on their own within a few days. In children in particular, care should be taken not to scratch the blisters. The superficial skin is damaged by scratching and offers a potential entry point for pathogens that cause disease. Further inflammation of the skin can result.

Itching of a rash on the finger

There is no itching at the initial stage of the rash on the finger.
Only if in addition to Redness the affected skin area Blow, Pustules or Wheals the itching begins to occur. The itching usually makes the rash a pain for the patient. It is of great importance that the rashes not scratched so that there is no risk of inflammation or scarring.

Weeping rash on the finger

A weeping rash on the finger may indicate skin infections or advanced skin eczema. In a moist skin environment and especially in warm areas or summer months, the skin can develop Skin fungus to settle. This causes an itchy and oozing rash. It can be treated with special ointments. However, treatment is long-term because fungal infections are often persistent.

It can also be an advanced one eczema present with existing pustules and blisters. If the bubbles open by scratching or by themselves, the liquid will pour out.

Swollen fingers and rash

Swelling is common with pain, redness, impaired function, and overheating of the skin typical sign of inflammationn. As skin rashes also develop in an inflammatory reaction, slight swelling of the affected skin area is normal. If the swelling is severe, there is either one pathogen-related infection or a pronounced allergic reaction in front.
In rare cases, so-called angioedema can occur as a result of a rash on the finger. This is one Effusion in the subcutaneous fatty tissuewhich starts about 1-3 days after the rash starts. There swells the affected Skin area over a large area.

diagnosis

If you have a rash on your fingers, you should see a family doctor or a dermatologist. Through a targeted History and inspection of the rash and the accompanying symptoms can make the diagnosis.
A medical history can be used to identify a potential allergen or irritant that is directly related to the rash on the finger. About a Allergy test environmental substances can be tested for their reaction on skin and blood.
In exceptional cases, a tissue sample can also be taken from the inflamed area. The skin section is then analyzed under the microscope and the cause of the rash can be determined.

therapy

The most common forms of rash on the finger are caused by intolerance, allergies and external stimuli. The treatment depends primarily on the Avoid stimulus in the future. To do this, the exact hazardous substances must first be identified in a detailed anamnesis.

At physical stimuli like heat or cold, it is seldom possible to avoid the trigger. Here can a Antihistamine be taken in tablet form for months. This will reduce the allergy-like reaction and the rash can subside. Does the effect have to be quick or the rash on the finger especially strong, can additionally Cortisone provide quick relief.

Rash between fingers

The skin between your fingers is particularly prone to rashes that result from physical stimuli arise.
heat, Sweat and friction are common triggers for a rash between the fingers. Especially in warm summer months and when the hands are very moist, the sweat glands can become inflamed due to the backlog of fluid in the duct. This creates so-called Heat rash or sweat blisters, along with the rash between your fingers.