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Itching between fingers

B

brettsza

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,205
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi

I have this really bad itching between fingers which has been going on for like 4 to 5 months now. It gets better and then gets really bad. Last few days have been extremely bad and I have red spots and some white one's too due to itching on them. I was told by the gp it's nothing and he gave me a lotion to apply which never worked. He then gave me another tub of just a normal moisturiser which is about to finish too and I have told him it's not dryness it's some sort of infection but he just keeps giving me a moisturiser which I don't feel is the correct medication as I use a lot of creams not just what he gave me and nothing works. Finally last time I showed this to him he dismissed it by saying it's a life long condition and you just have to keep applying the creme.
It gets really itchy and the red spots get really bad when I put them under hot water or when I take shower they burn a lot.
I don't feel my gp is right but has anyone got the same problem or been through it lately?
He's really messed up on diagnosis with my toes he doesn't know what it is and now this, both have been going on since February.
 
Morning, If your GP is not a good one, then could always change to another GP. Have you popped into see a pharmacist, who could look at it for you and advise you. But a GP should diagnoses it for you or refer you to a hospital specialist. Good luck.
Best wishes RRB
 
Thanks for the response
I am going to pharmacist today as it has got really bad but the moment you tell them you are diabetic they sort of back off and don't really suggest anything. But I am planning to go to one today and see what they say, I wouldn't tell them I am diabetic to begin with but if they ask me to buy a lotion or creme I will mention it to them to be sure it's safe for me to use.
About changing gp I have read some reviews of a gp next and next closest to me and there reviews are even worse. I had to ask my DN to get me an appointment for a pidiotrist as my gp wouldn't refer me even after my repeated request, on the other hand he feels quite offended that why am I asking for a referral, he was very upset with me that why did I meet the DN as it's not needed, I told him it's coz they called me and asked me to come and see them and made an appointment too, he said to me I will make sure that doesn't happen as you can come and see me. Everytime I have seen him he will hardly spend a minute on looking at the problem and in 2 mins he wants you out of his room and you can't discuss two things so for hand and feet I need to make 2 appointments he wouldn't discuss in one and each appointment is about 1 to 1.5 months.
 
Good luck, I hope, from somewhere, you find a solution that will help you. Best wishes RRB
 
Have you considered that it could be an allergic reaction to something. My wife had a similar problem a while back, she discovered that it was the spray she was using to clean the kitchen. She solved her problem by getting me to wash up and tidy the kitchen
She has since discovered that it was the bleach in the cleaner that was causing the rash.
 
Your GP is part of the problem instead of part of the solution, so I should fire him. As suggested, take your rash to a pharmacist for advice, and I don't see why you should mention diabetes.
I had a similar itchy rash last year and while my GP of the day (they change so often) was puzzling over it, another GP from the same practice happened to come in and being a dermatologist he immediately prescribed an ointment called (I think) Betnovate which cleared it up. So a chance thing.
More recently I had dry skin between fingers on the same hand and moisturising cream sorted that, so I appreciate the difference.
 
Thanks a lot Deejay

I will go to the pharmacist soon, It is annoying to have a GP like him, he thought all my diabetic symptoms were down to low Vitamin B12, it only when I googled them I found out about Diabetes and forced him to test me for it, he did do the b12 for his own satisfaction too and I was positive for diabetes and b12 was fine.
Is betnovate available over the counter?
I know the difference between dryness and an allergy/infection and I was trying to explain to him that I dont think it is dryness as I am using a lot of moisturising creams but he would not listen to it.
Everyone finds there DN's not good but when I meet her I find her much better than my GP, I will go to the pharmacist and see if he/she can give me something over the counter otherwise I am off to the GP again.
 
I have not changed anything, I actually went through this with my wife and we were trying to see if we had changed anything, I also wear gloves when doing the cleaning, more so now as it starts burning sensation on those red spots.
 
Mine was on prescription. You may have to get some via your GP but don't stand any nonsense. Good luck.
 
Is betnovate available over the counter?
QUOTE]
Betnovate is steroid cream/ointment only on prescription. I use this for my eczema in my ears when it flares up badly. It is a very good, effective cream and has helped clear up the itching and eczema quite rapidly.knly needs to be used sparingly though.[/QUOTE]
 
Thanks Deejay, I will go after lunch and see what the pharmacist says.

Thanks for the reply Nicola

Does it have any nasty side effects?
 
brettsza said:
Thanks Deejay, I will go after lunch and see what the pharmacist says.

Thanks for the reply Nicola

Does it have any nasty side effects?
Click to expand...
I've not had any and have been using it on and off for a year or so now
 
How much B12 did he have you take? I just started B12 supplements and noticed a strong itchy reaction in between my fingers. Perhaps that was the culprit.
 
I did not take any supplements, I just bought a cream nutrogena and applied it everyday, although I do have flare ups every now and then like I have at this time too but its not bad. Try to find a cream with no SLS which i saw on a documentary.
 
Its hard to say for certain what this is but chances are its some sort of allergy or eczema. You could apply a cortisone cream, an anti-itch lotion like Sarna, or combine them. Sometimes holding a cool, wet wash cloth provides temporary relief. An antihistamine like Zyrtec children's syrup might also help.

None of the above will help if the problems are caused by a skin infection. Some fungal infections could also cause these symptoms. Topical anti-fungal creams could be tried if the above doesn't work. The ingredients in some of the fungal creams are toxic if ingested, so she would need to keep her hands out of her mouth if antifungal cream were used.

I forgot to mention scabies as a possibility. Not a likely one since it hasn't spread beyond the hands in 5 days. Scabies would typically spread to other areas.
 
brettsza said:
I did not take any supplements, I just bought a cream nutrogena and applied it everyday, although I do have flare ups every now and then like I have at this time too but its not bad. Try to find a cream with no SLS which i saw on a documentary.
Click to expand...
I have the same thing, it also affects my feet. Turns out to be psoriasis (PPP) only found this out through specialist
 
I have both psoriasis which is autoimmune and eczema which is an allergic reaction. Cortisone cream helps both but works far better on the eczema. Low dose cortisone cream should be available without prescription. If it clears things up then you need to figure out what it is that is causing the reaction. Your doctor should refer you to a derm if asked. His ego is not more important than your health.
 
Funnily enough I have an itch, too minor to call a rash, between my ring and middle finger. Good old Savlon took care of it.

I hope you find something that works for you, like a new doctor.
 
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