Skin disorders that affect the hands can be minor and irritating or severe and debilitating. Three common skin disorders are Raynaud's disease, scleroderma and Churg-Strauss Syndrome. These skin conditions are not curable, but treatments can manage the symptoms and protect against future damage to other parts of the body. Temporary skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis, can result from a reaction to soaps, cosmetics, jewelry or other irritants and are generally easy to treat. Sometimes the symptoms go away by simply avoiding the irritant.
Raynaud's Disease
According to the Mayo Clinic, Raynaud's disease is a condition that causes some areas of the body, including the fingers, toes, nose and ears to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress. The disease causes arteries that supply blood to the skin to become narrow, which limits the blood circulation in affected areas. The disease is more common among women and those who live in colder climates.
Symtoms of and Treatments for Raynaud's Disease
According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment for Raynaud's disease depends on the severity. Most individuals consider the condition to be more bothersome than debilitating. The symptoms of Raynaud's disease include color changes in the skin with stress or cold temperatures and pain and numbness upon warming or relief of stress.
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Churg-Strauss syndrome is a disorder characterized by blood vessel inflammation. The inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs and tissues, and can sometimes result in permanent damage. It can affect the hands by causing severe pain and numbness as well as a rash.
Symptoms of and Treatments for Churg-Strauss Syndrome
According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma is the most common symptoms of Churg-Strauss. Hay fever and gastrointestinal bleeding can also occur. While there is no cure for this disorder, symptoms can be controlled with the help of a physician and steroids or immunosuppressant drugs.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma, or CREST syndrome, is a condition that means "hardened skin." Scleroderma is characterized by tight and hard skin that affects the lower arms and legs, fingers and toes, and occasionally the face and throat. According to the Mayo Clinic, limited scleroderma is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system stimulates the production of too much collagen, resulting in a build-up in the skin and internal organs.
Symptoms & Treatments for Scleroderma
Difficulty bending fingers or opening the mouth may result from skin being pulled taut, which may also create a shiny appearance. Red bumps, or calcium deposits that appear as bumps under the skin, can be present. Breathing difficulty may also occur as a symptom of scleroderma. There is no cure for scleroderma, though treatments can help control the symptoms and prevent complications.
