Although itchy round spots on the palms of the hands are not typically life-threatening, they can be extremely uncomfortable and possibly contagious. Symptoms can also be embarrassing and hard to hide. In order to properly treat patchy skin, it is important for you to understand what conditions can cause it to occur.
Symptoms
Itchy patches on the palms can be accompanied by red bumps, pain, scaling of the skin, dryness and the formation of blisters or lesions that are filled with pus. Scabs can also appear on the patchy area of skin. The patches can vary in size, from as small as a dime to more than several inches in diameter. They can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as an achy body, fever and chills.
Causes
Round patches of skin on the palm can be caused by several conditions. The MayoClinic.com notes that contact with soaps, jewelry or weeds can create itchy rash-like symptoms on the palms called contact dermatitis. Fungi, such as ringworm, can also result in a round, ring-shaped patch. In addition, ticks and tiny mites can cause round rashes and patchy skin on the hands.
Treatments
Wet dressings can help soothe any itching and redness of the patchy skin on the palms. So can an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or an oral antihistamine. For ringworm and mite-borne conditions like scabies, a doctor can prescribe an anti-fungal cream or medicated lotion to fight off the fungus or mites. The FamilyDoctor.org website explains that symptoms of tick-borne diseases are often treated with a course of antibiotics.
Prevention/Solution
To prevent the formation of patches of itchy skin on the palms of the hands, it is important that you identify what is causing the symptoms and stay away from it. Because ringworm and scabies can be easily transferred from person to person, wash your hands often, especially after coming into contact with a pet. To avoid contracting a tick-borne disease, always wear tick repellent when outdoors in a wooded area.
Dangers
If left untreated, patches of itchy skin can cause permanent scaring, skin infections or skin color changes, warns the MayoClinic.com. In addition, chronic scratching of the patchy skin on the hands can heighten the itchy feeling, leading to even more scratching and discomfort. This can also cause a condition called neurodermatitis, where the scratched areas become leather-like and thick. These patches can also be raw and redder than the surrounding skin.
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