Is This Skin Issue Connected With MC?

[tex]

Hi All,

It's well known that numerous skin issues, (eczema, various rashes, etc.), are associated with MC. During the winter months, especially, when the air is cold and extremely dry, many of us develop painful splits in our skin, at the end of the fingers, near the corners of the nails, especially if we have to wash our hands often. Of course, sometimes the splits develop in places other than at the corners of the nails, such as anywhere on the end of the finger.

Looking at this objectively, of course, if those splits are mostly due to frequent hand-washing, and MC causes us to wash our hands more often than we otherwise would, then that would suggest that the splits are at least indirectly due to MC, in this particularly example. I wonder, though, if there might not be a more direct relationship, such as dry skin, (which is more prone to splits), caused by vitamin deficiencies, because of malabsorption issues, for example.

These days, I don't have much of a problem with this any more, but that's mostly because I go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that the ends of my fingers stay moisturized. IOW, any time I wash my hands, during cold, dry weather, I apply an industrial-strength moisturizer, in order to preempt the problem. If I didn't do that, though, it would still be a major problem, so I selected a poll option in the "Frequently" category.

Do you have this problem, and if so, do you feel that it is connected with MC? Please select the response to this poll, that you feel best describes your opinion.

Thanks,
Tex

[Delta]

Tex,
I have the driest skin this side of the Pecos I use two things that help keep my hands moist, Udder Cream that I buy at the feed store and Burts Bee's sells a product in a little tin, both do the trick the Udder Cream is about 1/100 th the cost by volume.

[tex]

I have the driest skin this side of the Pecos

Now that IS dry.

I've heard that both those are good products, and I agree that Burt is more than a little proud of his products.

Tex

[Matthew]

Hey all-

Their is absolutely no doubt in my mind that my diet has made incredible changes in my skin. For years I had finger spits that would wake me up at night they were so painful. Just putting my hand in my pocket to get my keys would break my knuckles open to the point of bleeding. My heals looked like the grand canyon and were often painful from the splitting. I tried every lotion I could find and nothing changed the problem although Bag Balm was perhaps the best.

My Entero Lab results showed fat malabsorbtion and along with going on the diet I had also read about omega three oils helping reduce inflammation and for many years have tried to make an emphasis of eating fats, oils and foods that are high in Omega three oils. I figured that if I was going to start reabsorbing fats as my digestion healed I just as well eat good ones.

Well, jump ahead a bit and one day I realized that my hands and feet were remarkably better. Jump ahead again and I realized that I had not had a single finger split, bleeding knuckles or painful heals in a long time.

Then I was at my sisters for Christmas brunch and was helping to prepare food when she suddenly said ”Oh my gosh Matthew look at your hands!!!!” Of course everyone came running including a few people I had just met. She had to explain that she could not remember a time when I did not have tape and gauze on my fingers or bleeding knuckles. When I explained it was all abut figuring out my diet they all kind of walked away.

Oh Well.

I am certain that healing from the inside out has been an important part of my skin looking normal, no more splits, no more bleeding. My hands will never look like they did when I was nine years old but what a blessing to be , at least, a little bit more normal.

And so much more comfortable.

Love

Matthew

[ant]

hi all,

I do not have much problem with my fingers, but feet are another matter. For 30 years I have had occasional episodes of cracked heals and balls of the feet, especially in cold dry weather. And about 15 years ago I released my feet were extra sensitive: when walking on hot sand or stone I had to wear shoes when my friends could happily walk barefoot. In the last few months my feet have got worse, dryer and inflammation - I have taken to putting cream on them twice a day which seems to just about control the dryness and irritation.

Best, Ant

[Stanz]

I've certainly had my issues with skin, but not finger splits. My GF daughter had what was called Dyshidrosis when she was a kid and my DH has had it all his life, both of them treated it with bag balm type of salves. Since we have been GF here, my DH's skin has greatly improved.

There is a mention here that it has been connected to digestive issues, but it also says "citation needed".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis

[Linda in BC]

Not only have I always gotten those nasty splits on my fingers ( including in the middle of the pads of them) but my heels used to crack so bad that they bled (half inch long cracks!) and walking was extremely painful. I developed a regime of scraping my heals with one of those dr scholls metal scraper type thingys EVERYTIME I showered plus putting a 20% Urea cream on them after. This clears them up and I do not get splits anymore if I am diligent about dong it. Miss just a few times tho, like when on holidays, and they are back lickety-split (pun intended.) :-)
Linda

[ant]

Wonder if the cracked heels are a symptom of Gluten or other food intolerance/autoimmune problems. Unless I am mistaken diabetics often have dry cracked feet.....

Best, Ant

[Linda in BC]

Hmmm.. yes, intersting point, Ant ( hello, by the way). My daughter has also has very bad cracked heels and she just recently found out she is lactose -intolerant, too.

Tex, perhaps we should have cracked heels on this poll, as well!

Linda

[tex]

Tex, perhaps we should have cracked heels on this poll, as well!

I probably should have included it, but it didn't dawn on me, at the time, and it's a bit too late to add it, now.

Tex

[angy]

yup!!! had those darn fingers splits all my life ....god they are painful at times and yes in mainly cold weather.....funny though i dont get as much since i went gf.... and i use loreal products....cos im worth it lol!!!

[Linda in BC]

Glad to hear you don't get them as much, Angie, since going GF. I talked to a friend of mine today and she said exactly the same thing. I 'm thinking it is as Ant suggested, not so much the MC causing them as the ingestion of foods that we are unable to tolerate or allergens ...
L.

[Gabes-Apg]

mindful that our whole digestion process is compromised by the inflammation.
It affects all the organs related to the digestion process, water absorbtion from waste is affected (or is controlled by meds)
and as we all discuss and agree, nutrient absorbtion is compromised. Excess toxins, decreased nutrients, things like skin, hair, other organs, will be affected

what i find amazing is how our bodies adjust to the change, the toxin removal process is not working via intestines so the body excretes the toxins in other ways ie the skin (hands, feet, acne issues) i notice my urine is different since having MC so i am guessing there are extra toxin in there (maybe that is why the UTI occurance is elevated)
and this does have an impact on other health conditions, heightens risk of other auto immune conditions.

[Gabes-Apg]

split Skin on the finger issue...

i have a bad one at the moment, seeping, inflammed for half the length of my finger

typing is difficult etc etc but the worst part it is like the main finger for bum wiping! i have to swap hands ika curumba...

this mc thing is a whole body experience!

[Linda in BC]

Oww, Gabes! the split sounds really sore and that switching hands thing is so awkward. I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist last spring and had to do that for about a month so I really understand what you mean. Yes, MC sure doesn't ever let us become complacent about our bodies or take their proper functioning for granted! !!
Linda