Skin falling off =/

A few years ago I started getting weird symptoms(sores on my body, skin falling off, horrible joint aches, fatigue, couldn't keep food down/when I did it went right through me(sorry if tmi), etc). I went to many doctors, most who didn't give me the time of day. I finally got tests run and they found something on my auto immune panel. I don't have good insurance, and can really only see state provided docs, so the treatment ended there. The symptoms have since came and went every few months varying in severity. 

When I say my "skin falls off", I mean it is on my fingers. My skin will look and feel perfectly fine one day, then slowly the tips of my fingers will get hard, and when I press them in it's like a bubble(they stay pressed in for a second) and i when i touch things i don't have a good sensation. The next step is they get little white spots on them, which open up and peel, and keep peeling until the first layer(sometmes more?) is gone from them. This is very painful. I can't touch super hot or cold things, and all my fingers(even the healed ones) have horrible scars from this. They sometimes crack open and form cuts/sores that just don't heal. Right now, I have them on four of my fingers and it hurts to even write or work(I'm a cashier). 

I know everyone is going to tell me to see a doctor, and I am working on seeing a rheumatologist. Again, the only doctor I can see besides that has been no help thus far. I've been told to see a dermotologist, and I did once when I was little because the back of my hands were doing something similar. They found it wasn't an allergy, and were pretty much puzzled as to why it was happening. 

Sorry this has been so long, but I'm not asking for a diagnosis, just if anybody knows anything i can do to make these cuts/sores a little more bearable? Lotion just stings(even unscented; like eucerin). I'm seriously so uncomfortable I can't even wash my hands :(

Well l dont have any of those symptoms but my MIL has Psoriasis really bad and cant use any types of lotions. Her skin does that, constantly peeling. She uses Vasoline and that works the best for her. Have you gotten tested for that or even HIV? Im  not trying to scare you but those symptoms are def something to not take lightly! Good luck with everything i hope its not serious!

I really would keep trying with doctors.  GPs are just that... general practitioners... and, if they've not seen a particular condition before, they can struggle to deal with it.   If you can be referred to a dermatologist then take up the opportunity because they are skin specialists

But I would ask you what's your diet like?  In particular do you get plenty of fruit and vegetables?  Do you take a multivitamin or other supplements?  I ask because a lot of your symptoms coincide closely with Vitamin C deficiency or Scurvy   And do you get plenty of fats in your diet?...  The vitamins that keep skin, hair and nails supple are fat soluble so if your diet is too low fat that can affect them badly.

Finally, I see from your profile that you've had eating problems for quite some time.   Make sure your BMI is well up over 20 by getting a good amount of energy each day.  If you're still 125lbs and 5'9"  (from a post on October 13th)  you're about 12-15lbs under being fully 'weight-restored'.  The malnutrition required to keep you underweight will mean that your immune system is not working properly and that will mean your health stays poor.

Needless to say, go to the doctor (which you are already planning).  But in the meantime, have you tried any homeopathic lotions?  There are some for conditions like psoriasis or skin burns & rashes that are excellent.  The one I use on burns or chapped skin (especially after winter runs or skiing) is called Califlora, and it is a gel made from Calendula. 

And I do agree with gi-jane's suggestion of keeping a close eye on your fat intake.  Maybe you can take additional fish oil supplements that might help with the fat-soluble vitamin absorption.  At least that helped me with Vitamin D absorption.

I've been having a similar problem lately.  I've had eczema my whole life.  It was really bad when I was a baby/toddler...my mom said the backs of my knees and hands would get sores and ooze pus and blood *gross*

But anyways, I know that sometimes when I get those bumps or whatever, I scratch or pick at them without really realizing it.  Then, I look down and my hand is like gushing blood!  I know this isn't a permanent solution, but I keep the places that normally get this problem covered (with band-aids).  That way I can't really pick at them.  I know lotions can sting, but they help it heal (especially gentle ones like Eucerin or aveeno...but I've had better luck with Eucerin).

Have you tried putting an ice pack on the sores?  It helps make them less swollen/inflamed and makes them hurt less.

I hope it gets better soon!

So, you definitely have a rare suite of symptoms and a dermatologist would be a good start. Now you mention no itching prior to the white spots -- if there is any itching, then it could be dyshidrotic eczema (an uncommon form of eczema).

When there is no itching, it could be the very attractively named: bullous pemphigoid or pemphigus vulgaris. These conditions are auto-immune conditions, and you mention in your post some auto-immune issues.

Now these are very rare conditions and the rate of it is unknown in the US. Also, these conditions usually surface in your 50s and 70s.

Some other less rare and more mundane possibilities could be impetigo or candidiasis and these would respond to antibiotic or antifungal treatments.

No matter the diagnosis you actually receive when you see a doctor, it will likely require prescription topical creams of some sort and there aren't likely any over-the-counter options that would give you relief at this point.

Do try to see a doctor soon if only to make sure that no infection occurs with the sores and insist on a referral to (another) dermatologist. I am so sorry you are in pain and that you have such had such unresponsive care to date. It's o.k. not to be nice when it comes to getting the care you deserve -- go in with a plan and a list of questions you need answered and see if that gets a bit more attention -- I hope it will. Best of luck.

I don't really know what it could be, other than an unusual form of eczema.
To ease the pain, I find that putting a cold pack on helps and also not washing my hands with soap too often [the obsessive part of me doesn't like this very much]
There are also some 'trigger foods' that set off my exzema and make it worse, but these are different for each individual. and please make sure that it doesn't get infected, because its happened to me and it makes the pain about 100 times worse.
Oh, do you come in to contact with washing detergent by any chance? because I get lumpy spots all over my hands when I wash the dishes.

I hope you have better luck with other doctors etc. and that you find out how to decrease your symptoms

Chilblains.... http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Chilblains.ht m  Makes sense because people who are underweight often have poor circulation and get very cold in the extremities.  

Do you get fevers when these symptoms come? You said you get sores on your body, or is it a rash? If you get fevers then maybe it is "adult still disease"

It could be "raynaud phenomon", the symptoms fit really well especially the sores on your fingers. 

What about "scleroderma"?

I hope your doctors have tested you for these already. But you said they aren't very good so maybe not. 

If all else fails...move to Canada!

My hands crack from frequent washing in the winter and lotion does not help.  I use Bag Balm; it was originally used for cow udders getting cracked/sore from milking.  It's a vaseline base with antibiotics in it, like Neosporine but a lot cheaper.  It does not smell really good; I slather a good layer on my hands and then put on cotton gloves and leave it for several hours or even sleep like that, then wash it off in the morning.  It's also great for cracked heels.

Bag Balm can be found in most grocery stores in the beauty isle, it comes in a green cube-shaped tin. 

I agree with the others... try to see a doctor or a dermatologist as soon as you can. It sounds very painful.

You may have developed a skin allergy that you didn't have before. Try switching your shampoo to Tres Semme, it's actually one of the only non-prescription shampoos that doesn't cause allergic reactions. And also Dial Cranberry body wash is an affordable non-allergic wash. Use very small amounts of soap when washing your hands.

You may have something else, but I found that switching to these products helped me, and hopefully can do the same for you.