What Causes Itchy Fingers and How Is It Treated?
Itchy fingers can be caused by several skin conditions
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
There are many reasons why you may have itchy fingers, including relatively harmless ones like having dry hands. However, itchy fingers can also sometimes be a sign of a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, or a nerve-related issue like peripheral neuropathy.
In some cases, the cause may be idiopathic (of unknown origin) and will resolve on its own without incident. Even so, itchiness that persists or causes inflamed or broken skin should be seen by a healthcare provider or a skin specialist known as a dermatologist.
This article discusses the five specific causes of itchy fingers and what you can do to treat them.
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Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a rash that develops after touching an irritant or allergen (allergy-causing substance). Contact with an irritant or allergen triggers a local inflammatory response that stimulates itch receptors in the skin, called nociceptors.
The hands are commonly affected because we use them frequently to touch and grab things.
Contact dermatitis causes reddish areas of skin that can be swollen and peppered with tiny, pimple-like rashes. The rashes can be extremely itchy. In severe cases, tiny blisters and breaks in the skin can develop.
Substances that can cause contact dermatitis include:
Jewelry containing nickel
Solvents
Detergents
Cleaning supplies
Soaps
Makeup and other cosmetics
Clothes with metal snaps or belts with metal buckles
Wool
Poison ivy
Poison oak
Treatment
Contact dermatitis will clear up after removing the irritant or allergen. In the meantime, to reduce irritation and itchiness, you can use an over-the-counter (OTC) steroid cream or ointment containing 0.5% to 1.0% hydrocortisone.
OTC antihistamines like Zytec (cetirizine) or Claritin (loratadine) can also help ease itchiness. Applying a cool compress to the affected skin can also help.
Related: Best Treatments for Contact Dermatitis
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is a form of dermatitis that develops on the fingers and palms of the hands. The condition, also known as discoid eczema, causes small, fluid-filled blisters that are extremely itchy and can ooze when scratched. The affected skin may also be red, flaky, cracked, and painful.
The condition usually starts with several tiny blisters that gradually enlarge and merge into larger clusters resembling tapioca pudding. A secondary infection can occur if bacteria is introduced into scratched and broken skin.
The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown but is considered a form of atopy (meaning an allergic condition closely tied to food allergy, hay fever, and asthma). People with eczema typically have one or more of these related conditions.
Dyshidrotic eczema can be triggered by other atopic conditions as well as:
Exposure to irritants like nickel and chrome
Extreme stress or anxiety
Excessive sweating
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds
Smoking
Treatment
Dyshidrotic eczema can be treated with corticosteroids (steroids) that quickly ease inflammation. Prednisone tablets are most commonly used, but severe cases may require an injection of triamcinolone into a large muscle.
OTC antihistamines can help ease itching, while emollient moisturizers can soothe and repair dried, damaged skin. A cold compress can also help.
How Common Is Dyshidrotic Eczema?
It is not known how many people are affected by the condition. However, it is estimated that 5% to 20% of people with hand eczema suffer from this type.
Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks skin cells with inflammation. This increases the turnover of skin cells (meaning the speed by which cells are formed and shed). As skin cells start to pile up on the surface, dry, itchy, scaly plaques can form.
The elbows, knees, and scalp are most commonly affected by psoriasis, but around 20% of cases involve the hands and feet (also known as palmoplantar psoriasis). In addition to the itchy plaques, palmoplantar psoriasis can cause cracking and peeling between the fingers or toes. Fingernails and toenails can also be damaged if the nail bed is affected.
Palmoplantar psoriasis can cause episodic flare-ups triggered by:
Emotional stress
Excess sun exposure
Skin infections
Extremely cold, dry weather
Extremely hot, humid conditions
Certain medications like beta-blockers or lithium
Treatment
There is no cure for plantopalmar psoriasis, but it can be treated with an arsenal of medications and treatments, such as:
Emollient moisturizers
Topical and oral corticosteroids
Topical vitamin D3 analogs like Dovoex (calcipotriene)
Topical or oral retinoids like tretinoin and isotretinoin
Oral immunosuppressants like methotrexate
Injectable biologics like Tremfya (guselkumab)
You can prevent scratching at night by wearing cotton gloves. This also allows deeper penetration of topical medications while you sleep.
Learn More: The Best Medications for Psoriasis
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a complication of diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot control blood sugar due to a lack of the hormone insulin or a lack of sensitivity to insulin.
When blood sugar is continually elevated, it can damage the protective coating of nerve cells, called myelin. As myelin is progressively stripped away, the exposed nerves can start to "misfire," triggering nerve pain and other abnormal sensations known as peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by burning, numbing, tingling, itching, or pins-and-needle sensations. In some cases, the symptoms can become so severe that walking or grabbing onto a cold drink can cause extreme pain.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy typically occurs when a person hasn't managed their blood sugar levels over a long period. The hands and feet are predominantly affected. Other symptoms include dry skin, increased hunger or thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, and fatigue.
Other risk factors for diabetic neuropathy include:
Treatment
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is considered an advanced complication of diabetes and therefore requires a combination of treatments, such as:
A healthy diet low in sugar, fat, and simple carbohydrates
Regular exercise
Weight loss if needed
Insulin and other diabetes medications to control blood sugar
Oral medications like Cymbalta (duloxetine), Neurontin (gabapentin), and Elavil (amitriptyline) to help ease neuropathic pain
Related: Type 2 Diabetes Medication and Treatment
Scabies
Scabies is a highly contagious parasitic infestation that occurs when the human itch mite burrows into your skin and lays eggs. Eventually, the mites hatch and live beneath the skin, causing irritation and often relentless itching that gets worse at night.
Other symptoms of scabies include:
Tiny, pimple-like rashes that often form in bands, especially around the beltline
Intense redness and scaling
Skin sores and scabs caused by excessive scratching
Visible areas of burrowing that look like greyish or whitish lines on the skin
Scabies is common on the buttocks, waist, and the spaces between your fingers and toes. The parasitic infection is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact and occasionally by contact with mite-infested clothing, bedding, or towels.
Treatment
Scabies is treated with a topical prescription ointment or shampoo known as a scabicide. It contains the active ingredient permethrin which can kill the mites and the eggs.
For scabies of the hand and body, the permethrin ointment is copiously applied and left for 8 to 14 hours. One treatment can sometimes clear the infestation, but if symptoms recur, another application may be needed.
To avoid reinfestation, all bedding, towels, and clothing should be washed in hot water. All members of the household should also be treated.
Read Next: How Scabies Is Treated
When to See a Healthcare Provider
A treatable condition or infection often causes itchy fingers. However, since treatments can vary, it's best to see your healthcare provider if:
You experience an intense itch on your fingers or hands
The itch doesn't go away in a week
The irritation is accompanied by a rash, blisters, cracking of the skin, or skin plaques
These symptoms indicate that there may be an underlying health condition at play and require a specific form of diagnosis and treatment to be remedied.
In the case of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the itching sensations can be indicative of nerve damage. You will want to see your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect you may have diabetes based on other symptoms such as fatigue, increased thirst or hunger, weight loss, or other sensations in the extremities.
Summary
Itchy fingers have many causes, such as dyshidrotic eczema, psoriasis, or scabies. Since the causes vary, so do the treatment options. In many cases, topical application of creams or ointments will do the trick if you use the right one. Additionally, it is a good idea to avoid harsh skin care products that may irritate.
Ensure that your hands are completely dry after washing, and wear gloves during cold, dry weather. Before trying any OTC therapies, see your healthcare provider. You should also see them if you have other symptoms alerting you to a treatable health disorder or diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are itchy fingers a symptom of?
Itchy fingers can be a symptom of various health disorders. Skin conditions such as psoriasis and dyshidrotic eczema can cause the skin on the fingers to become excessively itchy. Diabetes and the parasitic infestation of scabies can also cause the symptom.
What is the fastest way to stop my fingers from itching?
You can apply a cold compress to the affected area to stop itching fast. That will help ease the itching sensation while reducing inflammation. For lasting relief, you will want to contact your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis before starting any at-home remedies.
When should I be concerned about itchy fingers?
If you have itchy fingers and are experiencing other symptoms, you may need to consider seeing your healthcare provider. Pay attention to other symptoms, such as skin blistering, irritation, bleeding, numbness or tingling in the limbs, and fatigue. These symptoms should prompt you to visit your healthcare provider.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
