Dr. Charu Bansal
Dermatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I was diagnosed with a fungal infection in the fingers of my hand for more than six months. I was taking treatment using more than four different medicines for about a month for each medicine, but it has not been cured. My physician said it was due to the winter season and also advised me not to use detergent or any other cleaning products. Despite doing this and completing the treatment for a month, the infection appeared again after I withdrew the treatment with the doctor's permission.
It was on the fingers near the nail and also between the finger joints with water blisters. It oozed out, dried, and then cracked. It hurts like a burn at times and aggravates when I use my finger to touch or peel onion, ginger, or garlic. Since it was the lockdown period, I could not go to the hospital and the doctor asked me to use the ointment till it gets normal after which he asked me to stop using it. I followed the same but after stopping the ointment, it appeared again but I do not know whether I could apply the same ointment which I used for two months because the doctor said that it will make the skin thin. Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have read your query and I can understand your concern.
As per your history and pictures (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), it seems to be allergic contact dermatitis to me. Such a condition tends to recur very often. I would advise you to kindly use double-layered gloves always while doing household work that involves using detergent or chemicals. Since long-term use of such creams can make the skin thin, it is advised to continue the creams containing steroids like Clobetasol, Halobetasol for a week followed by maintenance therapy which means that you need to apply the creams over the weekend like Saturday and Sunday. In case of active disease, you may use oral anti-allergy medicines like Levocetirizine 5 mg once daily at night for a week. Use an ample amount of moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.
I hope this helps. Do get back if you have any further queries.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
You asked me to do maintenance therapy on the weekend. Does it mean that I should use the steroid cream that you mentioned continuously for a week afterward on the weekends? For how many days or months should I use and for how many times in a day? Should I immerse the hand in warm water before applying it? Will it be cured completely? Is it contagious? Sometimes even if I wash my hands in plain water it hurts. What should I do? Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back.
You may continue to use it for three to four weeks as maintenance therapy. I usually advise my patients to apply over the affected area twice daily. There is no need to put your hand in warm water. Avoid chemical exposure. It is not contagious.
I hope this helps. Do get back if you have any further queries.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the prompt reply.
I bought Halovate cream and the pharmacist suggested to use Podowart along with Halovate. Can I use both? If so, please tell me the direction to use.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
As we discussed last time, you seem to have allergic contact dermatitis for which Podophyllum resin (Podowart) is not advisable. So, please do not use it.
I hope I have resolved your queries. Do get back if you have any further queries.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I will just use Halovate cream. Could this be because of chemical allergies? Is it warts or fungal infection? Will it get cured completely? Kindly let me know.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Warts are due to a different infection and are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Allergic contact dermatitis is usually caused by exposure to chemicals in the form of detergent, surf, chemical soaps, etc.
I hope this helps. Do get back if you have any further queries.
Thank you.
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