Itchy fingers: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

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Some people have persistently itchy fingers, either alone or with other symptoms. Nerve problems, scabies, and skin conditions — such as psoriasis — are possible causes. Treatment will depend on the cause, but soaking fingers in cool water may bring some relief.

A person might feel the itchiness on the surface of their fingers, under the skin, or only on some fingers. While most of the time itchy fingers are nothing to worry about, in some cases it may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs a doctor’s attention.

In this article, we look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of itchy fingers. We also give tips on how to get rid of the itching.

There are many different reasons why a person’s fingers might itch. In the list below, we discuss the common causes and their associated symptoms.

Contact dermatitis

Share on PinterestItchy fingers can be caused by various skin conditions, including contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis, also known as contact eczema, occurs when a person touches something that irritates their skin.

A person with contact dermatitis may also notice:

• itching across the fingers and hands
• pain or swelling
• patches of dry skin
• small, red bumps on the skin
• redness and inflammation

Because the hands and fingers come into contact with many different things over the course of the day, it may take some time to determine what is causing the allergic reaction.

People who have regular flare-ups should keep a diary of common allergens they come into contact with and their symptoms to look for a pattern.

Common triggers for contact dermatitis include:

• fragrances
• metal jewelry, belts, or watches
• cobalt found in hair dyes or deodorants
• some hand creams
• household disinfectants

Treatment

The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify and avoid the allergen.

When a person comes into contact with an allergen, they can relieve their painful, itching symptoms by using the following:

• antihistamine creams or oral over-the-counter medications
• corticosteroid creams
• phototherapy, involving exposing the skin to ultraviolet light

A person can get antihistamine creams online, and stronger versions can be obtained on prescription from a doctor. Corticosteroid creams can also be bought online or obtained on prescription.

Dyshidrotic eczema

A person with dyshidrotic eczema, also called foot-and-hand eczema or pompholyx, will notice tiny, itchy, fluid-filled blisters on their hands, fingers and often toes and feet. This condition is thought to be associated with stress, skin irritants, and seasonal allergies.

A person with dyshidrotic eczema may notice:

• small, fluid-filled blisters on the fingers
• severe itchiness
• painful skin
• redness and inflammation
• flaky, scaly, or cracked skin

People who are susceptible to allergies are more likely to be affected, and women are twice as likely to have dyshidrotic eczema than men.

Treatment

To treat dyshidrotic eczema, a person can try:

• putting a cold compress on the affected area to reduce itchiness and swelling
• moisturizing regularly to prevent the skin from drying out
• using mild soaps and detergents

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin cells to quickly build up, resulting in patches of flaky, itchy, scaly skin. Psoriasis can affect different areas of a person’s body, primarily the joints, but also areas such as fingers and nails.

Along with itching skin, a person with psoriasis may also notice:

• redness and inflammation
• areas of slivery-white scaly skin
• very dry, cracked, and sometimes bleeding skin
• pain around the inflamed patches of skin

Treatment

Psoriasis can be stubborn, and it is often a case of trial and error to find an effective treatment.

Possible treatments include:

• oral medications, usually prescribed by a doctor
• corticosteroid creams
• creams containing vitamin D analogs
• salicylic acid creams
• phototherapy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition related to diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels cause nerve damage. This can affect both the hands and feet.

A person with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may notice:

• their fingers becoming sensitive to touch
• a loss of feeling or numbness in their fingers
• pain or weakness in their fingers

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy cannot be cured, though there are treatments to help relieve symptoms and to slow its progress.

Treatment

To treat peripheral neuropathy, a person can try:

• lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise and stopping smoking
• getting their blood pressure under control
• stabilizing their blood sugar levels
• medications, for example, anticonvulsants and antidepressants
• creams containing capsaicin

Scabies

Scabies occurs when tiny mites burrow into a person’s skin and lay their eggs, causing small, itchy bumps. The symptoms can appear up to 8 weeks after a person comes into contact with the scabies mite.

The mites usually burrow in areas where the skin folds, including between the fingers and toes, inner elbows and knees, and genitals.

Scabies is common and extremely contagious. It is one of the most common skin conditions in the developing world.

A person with scabies may notice:

• small blisters or pus-filled bumps appearing on the surface of the skin
• tiny burrow-marks or tracks left by the mites in the skin
• skin becoming thick and scaly
• itching that becomes worse after showering or bathing
• itching that worsens at nighttime

Scabies tends to spread through skin-to-skin contact, though sharing clothing, towels or bedding can also pass it on.

Treatment

To treat scabies a person must see their doctor to get scabicide treatments that kill the mites and their eggs. Scabies can be notoriously difficult to get rid of and may need several rounds of treatment.

Share on PinterestWashing hands regularly with mild soap may help to treat or prevent itchy fingers.

A person may be able to manage the symptoms of itchy fingers at home, though if the underlying cause is not known, they should consult their doctor. Diagnosing the cause is key to finding the correct treatment.

Sometimes medication is not necessary and, by making a few adjustments, a person may see a significant improvement in their symptoms.

The following steps may help, in many cases, to treat or prevent itchy fingers from occurring:

• washing the hands regularly and thoroughly with a mild soap
• making sure that hands are completely dry after washing
• soaking fingers in cool water to relieve itching
• avoiding harsh skin care products that may cause irritation
• wearing gloves when in contact with harsh chemicals, including cleaning products
• wearing gloves during cold, dry weather
• moisturizing often with hypoallergenic skin cream or lotion

Some people find that calamine lotion can be soothing for itchy skin lesions.

In more severe cases, topical medications, such as corticosteroid, antifungal, and antimicrobial creams, may be needed.

If home remedies and topical treatments are not working, a person may need to visit a doctor who can prescribe oral medication, such as antibiotics, antifungals, corticosteroids, immune suppressants, or modulators to help get rid of the condition.

While itchy fingers can be frustrating, if there are no additional symptoms, it may be that keeping them well moisturized can help to reduce or eliminate the itchiness.

If the itchiness does not go away or keeps coming back, a person should visit their doctor to rule out any underlying problems.

Itchy Fingers: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Itchy fingers can be a symptom of a variety of conditions. However, its cause can also be as simple as dry hands.

Itchy fingers can range from mild to severe, depending on their cause. While itchy fingers can sometimes just be a sign of dry hands, they can also be a symptom of an underlying condition that needs treatment.

Read on to learn more about what may be causing your fingers to itch, when it might be a symptom of something more serious, and how you can get some relief.

Contact dermatitis (sometimes called contact eczema) happens when your skin comes into contact with an irritant. Common irritants include certain:

• metals
• fragrances
• preservatives
• personal care product ingredients (i.e. some lotions and soaps)

Sometimes contact dermatitis is triggered by an allergic reaction. It’s common to notice contact dermatitis on your hands, since they interact with so many things throughout the day.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis

• itching
• redness or discoloration
• inflammation

Treatments for contact dermatitis

It can take some time to narrow down what’s causing contact dermatitis, but keeping a log of any products you use and noting any symptoms you have can help. In the meantime, you may be able to find itch relief with:

• topical steroids
• oral antihistamines
• phototherapy

Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as dyshidrosis, is a skin condition that causes tiny blisters, usually on your palm or the outsides of your fingers. The blisters are often very itchy and may be filled with fluid. They can also appear on your feet and between your toes.

Symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema

• redness or discoloration
• flaking
• scaly or cracked skin
• pain near blisters

The exact cause of dyshidrotic eczema isn’t known, but it seems to be related to seasonal allergies and stress.

People who have skin allergies to certain substances, such as nickel or cobalt, also seem more prone to it. According to the National Eczema Association, dyshidrotic eczema is usually more common in women than men.

While there’s currently no cure for dyshidrotic eczema, the blisters usually begin to dry out after a few weeks. In the meantime, you can find relief by treating your symptoms with over-the-counter medication and home remedies.

If you have recurrent dyshidrosis flares, you may want to follow up with a dermatologist.

Treatments for dyshidrotic eczema

• Soak your hands in cold water or apply a cold compress two to four times a day.
• Use a prescription steroid cream.
• Try an anesthetic cream, such as pramoxine (Pramocaine).
• Keep your hands moisturized, as per the American Academy of Dermatology Association’s dry skin protocols.
• Choose only mild, hypoallergenic soap when washing your hands.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells. This results in scaly, raised patches on your skin’s surface.

While psoriasis most frequently affects skin over joints, such as the elbows and knees, it can also affect your fingers and nails.

Symptoms of psoriasis

• inflamed patches of skin
• silver-white scales on the skin
• dry skin that may crack and bleed
• soreness around inflamed patches
• itching and burning sensations around patches

There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are plenty of treatment options to help you manage your symptoms. With assistance from a dermatologist, you can create a treatment plan that works for you.

Treatments for psoriasis can include

• topical creams containing salicylic acid or corticosteroids
• phototherapy
• oral medications

If you have diabetes, the tingling or itching in your hands could be due to peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels, and it affects your hands and feet.

Symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

• sensitivity to touch
• loss of sense of touch
• numbness or pain in your fingers
• weakness in fingers

Treatments for diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a chronic condition, and there’s currently no way to reverse its course. But there are several options for slowing its progress and relieving the symptoms. These treatments include:

• working with your doctor to adjust your target blood sugar levels
• medications, such as anticonvulsants and antidepressants
• getting regular exercise
• managing your blood pressure
• trying not to smoke tobacco
• applying creams containing capsaicin

Although research is still limited on its effectiveness, some people found acupuncture to be helpful for reducing the impact of some diabetes symptoms.

Scabies is a highly contagious condition. It’s caused by a very small mite that burrows into your skin and lays eggs. This commonly happens in the skin between your fingers.

Symptoms of scabies

• small, very itchy bumps (primary symptom)
• small blisters or pus-filled bumps
• itching that’s worse at night or after bathing
• thick, scaly skin

Most cases of scabies are spread through skin-to-skin contact or the sharing of clothing, bedding, or towels.

Treatment of scabies

The first-line treatments for scabies are ointments, creams, and lotions. These may include:

• permethrin cream
• sulfur ointment
• benzyl benzoate

In some cases, you may need a few rounds of treatment. Home remedies and over-the-counter medication may help manage your symptoms as you wait for the medicine to work.

If the standard topical therapy options do not work, oral ivermectin may be considered as a potential treatment option.

The treatment for itchy fingers depends on the cause. You need to determine what’s causing your symptoms before you can figure out how to manage the itch. If you don’t know what’s causing your symptoms, contact your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

Regardless of what’s making your fingers itch, there are a few steps you can take to find relief until you’re able to treat the underlying cause.

For instance, you can:

• Use mild, unscented soaps and lotions.
• Apply a cold compress to your hands to soothe the skin and reduce the itchiness.
• Wear gloves when dealing with any irritating substance that could trigger itching (like scented soaps, cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and anything you are allergic to).
• Use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and itching.
• Wear gloves in dry, cold weather.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated.
• Dry your hands thoroughly after washing them, but avoid hand dryers that blow hot air, which can further irritate your skin.

If you have itchy fingers but no other symptoms, you may just need to moisturize your hands. However, if the itch doesn’t go away when you moisturize, or you notice other symptoms, it may not be due to dry hands, but some other condition.

Keep track of anything that seems to make the itching worse, and work with your doctor to narrow down the cause and find the treatment that works best for you.

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Dyshidrotic eczema – Eva Art

Why do itchy blisters appear on the palms and feet?

Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of eczema (dermatitis) characterized by an itchy rash in the form of blisters on the fingers, palms and feet. It occurs in children and adults and can be acute, recurrent, or chronic. In English-language literature, the term “pompholyx” is used for this condition, which means “bubble”. The clinical course of dyshidrotic eczema can vary from mild, self-limiting to severe, chronic, and debilitating, resistant to treatment. It is impossible to single out an unambiguous cause of dyshidrotic eczema. It is believed that pompholyx is a skin reaction caused by various external and internal provoking factors.

The most likely causes of dyshidrotic eczema are as follows:

1. Genetic factors. Filaggrin is a structural protein of the stratum corneum of the skin that plays an important role in its barrier function. Mutations in the filaggrin gene cause disruption of the skin barrier. This leads to increased permeability of allergens into the skin.
2. Atopy. According to some reports, about half of patients with dyshidrotic eczema have a personal or family history of atopy (atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis). Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are often elevated even in patients reporting no history of atopy.
3. Hypersensitivity (allergy) to nickel. Nickel contact dermatitis has been reported in 30% of patients with dyshidrotic eczema. Nickel ingestion with food can also be a cause of dyshidrotic eczema in some patients. Increased urinary nickel excretion has been reported during exacerbations of pompholyx.
Profuse sweating is thought to result in localized concentrations of metal salts that can induce a blistering reaction.
A diet low in nickel may reduce the frequency and severity of pompholyx flare-ups.
4. Hypersensitivity to cobalt. When cobalt is consumed with food, allergic dermatitis in the form of dyshidrotic eczema occurs less frequently than when nickel is taken orally. Much more common is the co-occurrence of nickel and cobalt allergy, seen in 25% of nickel-sensitive patients who develop pompholyx. In these cases, the eczema is usually more severe.
A low cobalt diet has been proposed to help patients limit their intake and keep blood levels of cobalt below the threshold for pompholyx flare-ups. In addition, this diet reduces the amount of nickel consumed.
5. Contact exposure to allergenic chemicals or metals. Dyshidrotic eczema flare-ups are sometimes associated with exposure to allergenic chemicals found in metals or cosmetics (eg, chromium, fragrances, dyes, preservatives, etc.)
Shower gel, shampoo, hair dye, etc. often act as a contact allergen.
6. Fungal infection. In some patients, pompholyx develops as a result of a fungal infection and resolves with antifungal treatment.
7. ID reaction. This is a reaction to distant foci of a fungal or bacterial infection. For example, with a fungal infection of the feet (or bacterial interdigital diaper rash), itchy blisters may appear on the hands.
8. Emotional stress. This is a possible factor in dyshidrotic eczema. Many patients report recurrences of pompholyx during stressful periods.
9. Hyperhidrosis – excessive sweating. To date, it has been proven that hyperhidrosis of the palms and feet is not the cause of pompholyx, but is an aggravating factor in 40% of patients with dyshidrotic eczema. Reducing sweating of the palms after the introduction of botulinum toxin helps to reduce / stop itching and blisters.
10. Climatic and seasonal factors. Environmental factors (seasonal increase in temperature, high humidity) aggravate rashes in the form of bubbles.
Although phototherapy is a known effective treatment for pompholyx, exposure to ultraviolet A rays can trigger an outbreak in some patients. The use of photoprotective agents in this case leads to a decrease in the frequency and severity of exacerbations.
11. Other factors. The results of various studies describe other possible causes of the development of pompholyx, such as taking certain drugs, foods, smoking tobacco, diseases of the internal organs.