Why do u have cuts on my knuckles? there also red. am i diseased?!
Question: ok. i started having these wierd cuts on my knuckles like 3 days ago. before it was just kinda itchy. and red. with like a couple of little red dots looking like a little cut from a needle. but anyways. the skin on my knuckles are like dry. my only assumption is that this cold weather is causing me to have really dry skin.. other than me stratching myself when i sleep, a mondter scratching me, or me having a wierd diseas. this is the first time it happent to me. i also changed the soap i used about 2 weeks ago. from Dove which is 1/4 moisturizer cream to irish spring origional. so maybe thats why i got it this year? please someone answer my question. its kinda scary.
Answers: ok. i started having these wierd cuts on my knuckles like 3 days ago. before it was just kinda itchy. and red. with like a couple of little red dots looking like a little cut from a needle. but anyways. the skin on my knuckles are like dry. my only assumption is that this cold weather is causing me to have really dry skin.. other than me stratching myself when i sleep, a mondter scratching me, or me having a wierd diseas. this is the first time it happent to me. i also changed the soap i used about 2 weeks ago. from Dove which is 1/4 moisturizer cream to irish spring origional. so maybe thats why i got it this year? please someone answer my question. its kinda scary.
Most likely it is only a result of dry skin. Cold weather makes our skin really dry because our skin doesn't have to produce sweat or oil like it does in the summer. Frequent handwashing makes it worse because soap takes away the little oil that is left in your skin. Harsh soaps like Irish Spring is especially bad for the skin. Gentle soaps like Dove, which contains a lot of moisturizer, is better. My advice to you is switch back to Dove, and use a lot of moisturizer. I would recommend you use Eucerin, Aveeno, or other lotions formulated for very dry skin, and not just regular lotions like Vaseline.
Dry skin can be very itchy, which is probably why you're scratching yourself when you sleep. Be generous in applying lotion all over your body, you'll be amazed at how good your skin will feel and that it won't be itchy anymore.
If after everything I advised above, your skin condition persists, and you start developing other symptoms like joint pain, rash in your face, etc, then it's time to see a doctor and have yourself checked to make sure you don't have a more serious illness.
Don't be scared it could be the change in soap. I would suggest you go back to something mild like the Dove. Irish Spring has a lot of perfume to it. I have this problem every winter! Very annoying! What I do is lather my hands up in an unscented lotion (like Cetaphil Cream) during the day after every hand washing and at night I smother them with Eucerine. Sometimes I put socks over them or gloves on at bedtime after I use one of these lotions. This helps it set in without coming off on your sheets while you sleep. Don't be suprised if this irritation spreads to the areas between your fingers too. After a few days of this process you will notice your hands to heal up really nice. These lotions are my own personal preference and were suggested by my dermatologist. They are a little pricey but last a long time and available in most every store. Good luck! Let's hope for nicer weather!
Add: If you are scratching all over you may need to use one of these lotions all over especially after a shower/bath. My son has eczema and we were told lotion needs to be put on within 10 mins after a shower.