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Fingertip dermatitis
What is fingertip dermatitis?
Fingertip dermatitis is a type of hand dermatitis in which eczematous changes affect the fingertip extending from the palmar aspect of the distal crease to the distal ventral aspect of the digit.
Fingertip dermatitis
Who gets fingertip dermatitis?
Fingertip dermatitis can affect both sexes, all age groups, and all races.
Risk factors include:
- Pre-existing dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
- Work and hobbies.
What causes fingertip dermatitis?
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Occupational and household exposure particularly to wet work
- Thumb sucking in young children
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Acrylates — artificial nails (wearer, manicurist), dentistry
- Food and plants — diallyl disulphide in garlic cloves, Tulipalin A in tulips and alstroemerias (Peruvian lily), bulbs in gardeners
- Topical medications — eg, occupational exposure to the topical anaesthetics proparacaine and tetracaine
- Protein contact dermatitis
- Fish and meat contact — repetitive exposure such as in abattoirs and fish-processing plants
What are the clinical features of fingertip dermatitis?
The pattern of involvement will vary depending on the cause. It may involve just the thumb and index finger of one or both hands. For example, the thumb, index and middle finger of the non-dominant hand is typically affected when chopping garlic cloves, or the same fingers of the dominant hand in florists.
Symptoms of fingertip dermatitis may include itch, stinging, burning, or a slight numbness.
Acute fingertip dermatitis
- Red papules and plaques
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Blistering
Chronic fingertip dermatitis
- Dryness and scale
- Chapping and fissuring
- Lichenification
Fingertip dermatitis
What are the complications of fingertip dermatitis?
- Secondary bacterial infection involving staphylococci or streptococci cause additional redness, pain, oozing, and crusting
- Nail dystrophy
Complications of fingertip dermatitis
How is fingertip dermatitis diagnosed?
Fingertip dermatitis is a clinical diagnosis based on history and skin examination. The cause of the dermatitis however may be harder to determine and investigations may include patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis and skin prick testing for protein contact dermatitis.
What is the differential diagnosis for fingertip dermatitis?
- Endogenous dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Tinea manuum
What is the treatment for fingertip dermatitis?
General measures
- Avoid irritants and allergens
- Use protective gloves at work and in the home
- Soap-free cleansers are less irritating than liquid soaps and bar soaps
- Emollients and moisturisers should be applied frequently especially after hand washing
- Zinc-based ointments may be soothing for fissured areas
Specific measures
- Topical steroids
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors (eg, pimecrolimus, tacrolimus)
- Topical calcipotriol may be used off-label
- Physical therapies such as UVB phototherapy and Grenz ray therapy
What is the outcome for fingertip dermatitis?
Fingertip dermatitis is often a chronic condition and requires long-term attention to avoid recurrence.
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Related information
Bibliography
- Dannaker CJ, Maibach HI, Austin E. Allergic contact dermatitis to proparacaine with subsequent cross-sensitization to tetracaine from ophthalmic preparations. Am J Contact Dermat. 2001;12(3):177–9. doi:10.1053/ajcd.2001.23006. PubMed
- DeKoven S, DeKoven J, Holness DL. (Meth)Acrylate occupational contact dermatitis in nail salon workers: a case series. J Cutan Med Surg. 2017;21(4):340–4. doi:10.1177/1203475417701420. PubMed
- Guin JD, Franks H. Fingertip dermatitis in a retail florist. Cutis. 2001;67(4):328–30. PubMed
- Lakshmi C. Fingertip eczema to pooja flowers: allergic contact dermatitis to Tabernaemontana divaricata and Tecoma stans. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2015;81(5):514–16. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.162337. Journal
- McCluskey J, Bourgeois M, Harbison R. Tulipalin A induced phytotoxicity. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2014;4(2):181–3. doi:10.4103/2229-5151.134187. Journal
- Machado P, Pereira D, Morais P. An itchy rash on the fingertips - a case study. Aust Fam Physician. 2014;43(1):36–7. Journal
- Mattos Simoes Mendonca M, LaSenna C, Tosti A. Severe onychodystrophy due to allergic contact dermatitis from acrylic nails. Skin Appendage Disord. 2015;1(2):91–4. doi:10.1159/000434686. Journal
- Tammaro A, Narcisi A, Abruzzese C, et al. Fingertip dermatitis: occupational acrylate cross reaction. Allergol Int. 2014;63(4):609–10. doi:10.2332/allergolint.13-LE-0666. Journal
- Tammaro A, Narcisi A, Abruzzese C, et al. Fingertip dermatitis: a spy for psoriasis. Int Wound J. 2016;13(5):1032–3. doi:10.1111/iwj.12340. Journal
- Uter W, Geier J. Contact allergy to acrylates and methacrylates in consumers and nail artists - data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, 2004-2013. Contact Dermatitis. 2015;72(4):224–8. doi:10.1111/cod.12348. PubMed
On DermNet NZ
- Hand dermatitis
- Occupational skin disease
- Occupational skin disease in nail salon workers
- Skin problems in chefs and restaurant workers
- Skin problems in dentists and dental technicians
- Skin problems in florists
- Skin problems in food handlers and the catering industry
- Skin problems in hairdressers and barbers
Other websites
- Hand dermatitis — British Academy of Dermatologists
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis — Medscape
- Contact and Occupational Dermatitis — Patient.info
Books about skin diseases