Skin Condition?

I have had a redish/itchy rash on my ring finger of my right hand for probably almost a year now. I'm pretty sure I know what it is... my mother has the same condition on her hands, it's eczema. My question is: when I go to get it checked out, should I go to a dermatologist first or to a regular physician and wait for him to recommend where to go? I really need to get something soothing for my hand but I don't know where to start. I don't want it to spread. I do sleep in a moisturizing glove with hydrocoritsone cream on my finger. Anyone have any suggestions what to do while I wait for a doctor? Thanks for any suggestions!

Skin Condition?
I have atopic dermatitis,the clinical term for eczema;I have had it for over 40 years.The only way for you to know what kind of rash you have is to go to the dermatologist (regular doctors are absolutley not qualified to deal with atopic dermatitis;I've had 42 years of experience with this,so I know).You may have a case of contact dermatitis;something that is in contact with your skin is causing the reaction.Are you using nail polish?Throw it out.Are you using soaps and scented products on your skin? Throw those out.Cetaphil makes cleansers and lotions.The lotion cleanser is ideal for hand rashes,because hand skin is always being washed,the protective moisture barrier is constantly being stripped away.Cetaphil lotion cleanser allows you to clean your hands without water;you just "lather" up and wipe clean,then repeat.After cleaning apply the hydrocortisone.Cortaid with moisturizers is best.Then use Cetaphil moisturizing cream lotion.You can put a gob of it on your hands and put the gloves on for 30 minutes or more for moisturizing treatment.





Keep your nails short and clean.If you scratch,you won't do as much damage to your skin.Scratching is forbidden,anyway;it can tear the skin and lead to infection.





Donot use anything that contains lanolin,benzocaine,petroleum jelly(Vaseline),peeling agents like aha or sugar acids,retinol,or a topical antihistamine.In fact,if you really do have eczema,you have hypersensitive skin,so you can not use any product that is available.Anything that is a scrub needs to be handled with care or avoided.If a product stings or burns,you need to return it.Just because the label says it's hypo -allergenic doesn't mean it will not irritate YOUR skin. Products made for BABIES and are scented are considered too harsh for atopic skin! Avoid getting the hands wet;wear cotton liners under rubber gloves if you have to do wet work.





Soaking in an oatmeal bath(Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal products) soothes itchy skin.





Take off the ring until the rash is gone.My worst flare up was on my hands;I had the rash for four years.Hand eczema is the hardest to treat because the hands are exposed.The rash stayed on my hands,but since I do have atopic dermatitis I've had rashes on other places as well.It's treated all the same way.Avoid excessively drying out the skin,constantly put on the cream moisturizer.


Doctors also advise that you wear latex gloves over cotton gloves when you handle certain foods:don't peel oranges,lemons,limes,pineapples,


potatoes,tomatoes,onions,


garlic without gloves.I wear gloves when I cook.





Please check out my other answers for eczema and atopic dermatitis at this thread.
Reply:It could also be contact dermatitis. Go to your doctor first as a lot of GP's are well skilled in skin conditions. Then if need be they can refer u to a skin specialist. Don't use hydrocortisone more often than what it says on label as it thins the skin over long term use. Hope this helps some.
Reply:Go straight to a dermatologist! I have had skin conditions (eczema %26amp; psoriasis) all of my life, the family/general practice doctors have never been able to properly diagnose my conditions or treat them. Skin disorders are a subject all their own. On top of that, I have to pay for two doctor visits if they refer me to a dermatologist.





Hydrocortizone can work for some, but the derm can give you a stronger prescription that will work faster and more effectively. I've noticed that the ointments work better than creams in the area of hydrocortizone. Definitely try not to scratch it, or the rash will likely get bigger or more painful. On another note, make sure that the skin can breathe, don't cover it with a bandage.





Best of luck to you!