Itchy fingers are a common symptom of psoriasis, eczema, and dry skin. Nerve problems and scabies may also cause itchy fingers. You may feel itchy on the surface of your fingers, under the skin, or only on some of your fingers. Treatment of this condition depends on its cause. In this write-up, we will discuss the causes of itchy fingers and how to get rid of itchiness in your fingers.

1. Why Do My Fingers Itch?

Here is a list of conditions that can give you itchy fingers.

1.1. Contact Dermatitis or Contact Eczema

Contact Dermatitis or Contact Eczema is an itchy rash, which is caused due to contact direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. Though the rash isn’t contagious, its associated sensation is very uncomfortable. Substances such as such as cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and plants. The rash could develop within minutes to hours of exposure, and it can last 2 to 4 weeks.

Other symptoms of contact dermatitis include the following:

• Dry, cracked, and scaly skin, typically on white skin
• Hyperpigmented leathery patches, typically on brown or black skin
• Bumps and blisters on your skin, sometimes accompanied with oozing and crusting
• Swelling, burning or tenderness on your skin

1.2. Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic Eczema is a chronic or long-term skin condition that causes small blisters on your skin and makes it dry and itchy. Other names for this skin condition include dyshidrosis, acute palmoplantar eczema, vesiculobullous dermatitis and pompholyx. Dyshidrotic eczema is generally between the ages 20 to 40 years and is more common in people assigned female at birth. People with a family history of eczema or contact dermatitis are also more susceptible to this skin condition. Approximately 50% of dyshidrotic eczema cases occur in people who have allergic reactions when they touch an antigen. Dyshidrotic eczema occurs more in females supposedly because they are more likely to come in contact with antigens like nickel and cobalt in jewelry.

Symptoms of Dyshidrotic eczema include the following.

• Small, firm and painful blisters on the skin of your fingers, palms and soles
• Itchy, scaly skin, on or around the blisters
• Increased sweating around the blisters
• Dry and cracked skin appearing as the blisters gradually fade

1.3. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is also a chronic or long-lasting disease in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing the skin cells to multiply quickly. It results in patches of flaky, itchy, scaly skin. Psoriasis can affect different parts of the body, primarily the joints but also areas such as fingers and nails.

Besides itchy skin, other symptoms that psoriasis may cause are the following.

• Redness as well as Inflammation
• Areas of scaly skin that are silvery white in color
• Extremely dry, cracked and sometimes even bleeding skin
• Pain around the inflamed patches of your skin

1.4. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Somewhere around 70% of people with diabetes suffer from some nerve damage, which becomes more likely as the disease advances with time. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can affect both your hands and feet.

A person with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may experience the following symptoms.

• Fingers becoming extremely sensitive to touch
• Numbness or a loss of feeling in your fingers
• Weakness or even pain in your fingers

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

1.5. Scabies

Scabies is another itchy skin rash caused by a tiny burrowing mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. An intense itching sensation occurs in the area where the mite burrows, which may worsen at night. This condition is contagious and as scabies spreads so easily, doctors or healthcare providers often recommend treating all family members as well as close contacts.

Symptoms of scabies include thin, wavy tunnels made up of tiny blisters or bumps on the skin and itching that usually occurs or gets more severe at night. Scabies is often found in the folds of the skin and can appear on many parts of the body, including the area between fingers and toes, your armpits, inner elbows, soles of feet, around the belly button, and around your genitals.

1.6. Dry Skin

Sometimes, itchy fingers can just be the result of dry skin. Due to the dry climate, especially during the winter season. This can cause itching and flaking of skin, especially on your fingers.

1.7. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to substances that come into contact with the skin, such as detergents, soaps, lotions, or metals, can cause itching and redness in your fingers.

1.8. Insect Bites and Stings

Insect bites and stings can give you itchy fingers. For instance, mosquito bites can give you swollen and itchy fingers

1.9. Raynaud’s Disease

Raynaud’s Disease, also referred to as Raynaud’s Syndrome, is a condition that causes the blood vessels in your fingers to constrict, decreasing blood flow and resulting in pain, numbness, and itching.

2. How Do You Get Rid of Itchy Fingers?

Treatment of itchy fingers depends on the condition that is causing it. Here are the specific treatments for specific causes of itchy fingers.

2.1. Treatment for Contact Dermatitis or Contact Eczema

To prevent this condition, you need to identify and avoid the allergen. If you come in contact with an allergen, you can relieve the symptoms with antihistamine creams or oral over-the-counter medications, corticosteroid creams and phototherapy, involving exposing the skin to ultraviolet light.

2.2. Treatment for Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dishydrotic eczema can be treated by putting a cold compress on affected areas to reduce itchiness and swelling, moisturizing regularly to prevent skin drying, and using mild soaps and detergents.

2.3. Treatment For Psoriasis

Possible treatments for psoriasis include oral medications, corticosteroid creams, creams containing vitamin D analogs, salicylic acid creams, and phototherapy.

2.4. Treatment For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, getting blood pressure and sugar levels under control, medications like anticonvulsants and antidepressants and creams containing capsaicin can help relieve symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

2.5. Treatment for Scabies

To treat scabies, go to your doctor and get scabicide treatments that kill the mites and their eggs. Scabies are very difficult to get rid of and may need several rounds of treatment.

3. Conclusion

Though itchy fingers are frustrating, keeping your skin well moisturized will eliminate or reduce itchiness if you have no additional symptoms. If the itchiness persists, see a doctor to get the underlying problem identified and treated.

Last Updated on May 6, 2024 by Gautam