Monday, June 1, 2009

Peeling fingers and toes???

Last Monday I noticed what looked like a popped blister on Alivias thumb, she said it didn't so didn't really think about it much and just avoided it for the finger pokes. Then over the next few days I started noticing all her fingers starting looking that way. Then on Saturday morning I notice it was happening on her toes too.
I called her endo cause I thought it might have something to do with the blood sugar pokes (we use her toes at night). She said she'd never heard of that being associated with diabetes at all but knows it can happen with kids who have a bad virus. She said if I was worried about it I could take her to her regular pediatrician... Hello all my daughters skin is peeling off! Of course I'm worried about it. Luckily our clinic is open every weekend for urgent care so she got to see one of our regular Dr's. She said it was probably caused by the amount of stress her body had been through and since it wasn't infected she wasn't too worried about it and thinks it will go away on it's own. However my step-daughters mom said she's heard about it in children with diabetes when they're first diagnosed cause of lack of nutrients or something like that. Has anyone ever heard of this? It creeps me out and we're running out of fingers and toes to poke!

10 comments:

Shamae (Ghost written by Loren her hubby) said...

Hmmm I don't know what it would be. I know Syd's fingers (never used toes) look pretty mangled at times just because of all her finger pokes. When she gets out of the tub is when it looks really bad. I would keep an eye on it. Maybe another mom has gone through it. Sorry I don't have more advice for ya.

Jill said...

Kacey's fingers looked like that when we first came home from the hospital and when she was sick and we were having to do so many finger sticks. We never used her toes so I don't know about that? Have you tried using her arm to give her fingers a break? Thats what we did with Kacey for 2 days and it gave her fingers time to rest :) Hope that helps!

Shamae (Ghost written by Loren her hubby) said...

The arm is a good idea. We have done Syd's arm on occassion too. The only thing to be wary about would be that the arm is a bit delayed in its readings. The fingers are the most up to date (and toes I'm assuming.)

For ex. Syd was dropping low. We checked her arm and it said 73 and we checked her finger and it was 60. So it's not a big deal, just something to be aware of. It is a good alternative though. We have also used the palm of her hand along the edges where there is a bit more "meat." :-)

Wendy said...

I haven't heard of it either...Addy's fingers and toes were a mess in the beginning, but they didn't ever turn to blisters or start peeling. Hmmm...

LakeLady said...

Just a thought..it could be Hand, Foot and Mouth disease which is usually a mild, infectious viral illness. Most of the time it is diagnosed just by having blisters on the hands and feet. It usually shows up in summer. Often, chronic illness is a precursor. Might ask your doc. You can go to cdc.gov to find a fact sheet.

Megann said...

Hi,
I'm Megann, Lainey's mom. You posted a question on her blog about her red sores. No, they did not peel. This sounds like something different. If things aren't getting better, I would suggest getting referred to a dermatologist. Sorry I'm not more help. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hello,
My name is Lisa and I have a 7 year old boy who was diagnosed with Type 1 over a year ago. Just this past week his fingers and toes have started to slightly peel. I am currently researching...I have a feeling that lately he has been in water too much. He takes baths and with being in the pool a lot recently, I am thinking this can contribute to the peeling. I but Eucerin on both his feet and hands...it has helped him. I still want to find out if it is related to Type 1 or just something that happens to active children who spend time in water. Will keep you posted on what I find out.
Lisa

Lisa said...

I found out some information from a post on line. I think if the peeling keeps up, I will take my son to the doctors. Here is the posted information in case you wish to read. Keep in mind...I got it off the internet. Here it is...

"There could be a number of things causing this side effect but the thing is that only a doctor may determine what it actually is.

Kawasaki's disease often causes this disorder but Kawasaki disease affects mostly children. In Kawasaki disease skin peels away from the fingers. It could also peel from palms, toes and soles.

The reason it happens is that moistures dries.

Similar things may happen with diabetes. Diabetes may also lead to cracked and peeled skin due to decreased perspiration.

Lack of vitamin B may be the cause as well, it influences skin by peeling and cracking but you may also experience other signs like mental depression and many more. Not all of the symptoms are always present.

Too much vitamin A causes the same symptoms, so physical exam, blood tests, etc need to be done to realize if there’s an underlying condition."

Good luck.
Lisa

Unknown said...

Hello, Has anyone figured out this peeling toes and finger thing yet? My 6 year old daughter's started in April and has not stopped. She hardly bathes because it will make it worse. She had a cold 4 weeks before the onset but it was a minor cold that passed with a tummy ache and sore throat. Her strep titers are not high so strep was ruled out. No physician in our area has a clue. She does not have diabetes. Is it related to being exposed to H1N1? Not sure how to stop it but it is progressing to the skin becoming raw.

Angie said...

My daughter's fingers and toes peel every summer. (Probably started by age 1 and has continued, she is now 5) The skin peels first on the pads of the fingers and eventually all the way down and stops at the palm of her hand. Same with her toes, starts at the pads and moves down. The pictures you posted of the hands and feet could have been pictures of my daughter's hands and feet. She is not diabetic. She has had this happen even during summers when we are not in the water excessively. It concerns me, but it doesn't seem to bother her. The one exception is if she is using her hands for riding her bike or scooter, the new skin gets sore. As does the new skin on her toes if she goes barefoot.
My daughter has Reynaud's disease however I have not heard of this being a symptom of Reynaud's.
I would love to hear a conclusive answer if anyone has one!