HomeAnswersDermatologyskin careWhat should I do to prevent sensitivity in my fingertips while using phone?

I feel dryness and sensitivity in my fingertips while using phone or tab. Why?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At September 7, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 14, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 32-year-old male, and when I turned 27 my fingertips started to get sensitive. I have no pain and grabbing things or tapping things with my fingertips feels fine. It is when I slightly rub or use a tab, or phone I start feeling like the tips are dry and sensitive. It feels like the outermost top layer of the skin on my fingertips is missing. They are not cracking or peeling or anything of that sort. I have ignored it for the past five years, but today I saw people using their i-pad and scrolling with their index finger and to me that feels uncomfortable and my fingertips seem to get to much of a grip on the ipad to where I cannot smoothly scroll through things. Like right now typing this message on my keyboard, I feel slight discomfort but nothing major. So far, my index finger is the worse one.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Shukla

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Do not worry. I will help you with your concern. Do you have increased sensitivity or pain in fingers on exposure to cold? Do you associate slight redness on fingertips? How much alcohol consumption? Do you have diabetes or anyone in the family has it? Please revert back with answers and a photo showing fingertips, so I can assess and make diagnosis and suggest you treatment accordingly.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

No sensitivity when it is cold. There is no redness and I do not have diabetes which I tested when I first started having symptoms. I use to drink two to three times a month. I do not feel tingling. The fingertips feel like if you used them to swipe on a screen for 10 hours using the same finger. But the symptoms on my fingertips started suddenly. Also, on my thumbs, when I press down, it goes flat. The picture of my thumb shows that.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Shukla

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I went through your photo (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is no abnormality as such. Such numbness feeling can occur due to vitamin B 12 deficiency or thyroid disease also. Other thing is your fingertips are slightly pale. Do you smoke? This numbness could be either due to neuropathy like due to vitamin B12 deficiency or thyroid disease. Or it could be due to Raynaud's. But as you do not have any changes in fingertip color or pain, tingling on exposure to cold, that rules it out. Get your Vitamin B12 level and thyroid profile done. Apply Hydrocortisone 1% cream once daily at night for seven days. Aveeno moisturizer four to five times daily. Start vitamin B12 supplements if you cannot get B12 done otherwise, get it checked and follow back. Do not worry it is nothing major.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I do not have numbness on my fingertips. I used Hydrocortisone before with no benefits. I also do not smoke. I did look up thyroid problems and I do get a puffy face when I drink coffee or sweet sugary, milky stuff.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Shukla

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No need to apply Hydrocortisone then. Do get your thyroid profile and vitamin B12 levels checked because this sensitivity on fingertips may occur in these deficiencies. We need to rule out hypothyroidism. Because as there is no abnormality on fingers. Apply moisturizer frequently and every time after washing hands. Use mild handwash.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Deepti Shukla
Dr. Deepti Shukla

Venereology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Dermatology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy