Small Blisters on Hand

Hi guys,

I have never had this problem before until recently when I practice alot at the range and sweated much. Initially, it was just the usual blisters from too tight a grip. Now, my hands developed small clusters of blisters especially on my right palm and fingers and it's itchy too.....I wear my glove on my left.

Googled the symptoms and most likely it's called Dyshidrosis.....but what puzzled me is I dun fall into any of the causes categories. Now it makes me wonder could it be the glove? The sweat? the club's rubber grip?

Anyone experience the same symptoms?

Is you grip too hard.

Noriki wrote:

Is you grip too hard.

I agree....but it's not those usual blisters

Maybe the grip itself is too rough? I had the case of blisters before. Coupled with a tighter than normal grip, the multi decade grip didn't help. Changing them to normal tour velvets lessened the blisters and eventually went away. Hth.

How long have you been playing golf? Is this a new "injury?"

Maybe you should see a skin doctor, maybe some eczema or something. Because if blister cause by gripping to hard, it's not itchy.

I have similar blisters on my left palm and arms. My doctor prescribed a steriod cream that I mix with some non greasy skin lotion before applying to affected area. I also wash my glove after every game and these steps have helped keeping the blisters under control. You should consult yr doctor.

Hi mambo,
Per your original post, your symptoms sounds like what I used to have. Mine is also on my right hand and I just couldn't figure it out why I got them.

Went to see a doctor and he said that these were allergic reactions to chemicals that were too strong. The definition of "strong" is subjective to individuals. He suggested that I try to narrow down the chemicals that came into contact with my right hand. 

Guess what? It was the dishwashing detergent that I used to wash my clubs with.  I will only use my right hand to hold the cloth soaked in dishwashing liquid while my left hand holds on to the club shaft, thereby keeping dry.  Once I switched to clothes washing powder, the symptoms went away!

Now that my wife knows about my allergy, I don't even need to do the occasional dish washing duties too! Hahaahaa

Denmeister wrote:

Hi mambo,
Per your original post, your symptoms sounds like what I used to have. Mine is also on my right hand and I just couldn't figure it out why I got them.

Went to see a doctor and he said that these were allergic reactions to chemicals that were too strong. The definition of "strong" is subjective to individuals. He suggested that I try to narrow down the chemicals that came into contact with my right hand. 

Guess what? It was the dishwashing detergent that I used to wash my clubs with.  I will only use my right hand to hold the cloth soaked in dishwashing liquid while my left hand holds on to the club shaft, thereby keeping dry.  Once I switched to clothes washing powder, the symptoms went away!

Now that my wife knows about my allergy, I don't even need to do the occasional dish washing duties too! Hahaahaa

Your wife never ask you to do the clothes washing instead? 

Sassshhhhh. ......!!!!!!

Yes, it' a new 'injury'. I've been playing on and off for a decade and this is the first time I experienced such symptoms.

Dun think I'm allergic to any chemicals or materials too since I never had such issue. Like I said, only after such intensive golfing in recent weeks then I have this 'disease'. Hence, wondering if anyone else have the same experience.

I also highly suspect that it's eczema but the cause is just unknown. Will see a doc soon. Thanks dudes!

TDO wrote:

"Dun think I'm allergic to any chemicals or materials too since I never had such issue. Like I said,"
Bro, I am not sure what your age is, but as a person age the body and skin reacts differently as the body's defence system is reduced. It's better to see a doctor.

Lolx.....yes, have to admit I've aged and body changes.

Bro, could be shingles. Be careful and don't rub your eyes or face with your hands. Better check it out at the pharmacy or a GP.

Har.....I dun think so la. Not that serious ba.....
If no improvement by Mon, I'll see wat the doc says.

I don't think it's shingles. That's typically accompanied by pain and I don't think mambo here would be able to hold a golf club if it were. It may be something minor which can be treated easily. But this is a good thread to remind others to be mindful when playing and not to ignore small ailments.

Let us know how it goes, mambo. All the best, buddy!

Technospaz wrote:

I don't think it's shingles. That's typically accompanied by pain and I don't think mambo here would be able to hold a golf club if it were. It may be something minor which can be treated easily. But this is a good thread to remind others to be mindful when playing and not to ignore small ailments.

Let us know how it goes, mambo. All the best, buddy!

Yup, I'm still able to hold the club without any pain. Thanks!

The small clusters of blisters seem to be drying up and are less itchy now. Two small clusters have merged to form one big blister. Will lay off my practice for two days n see the doc on Mon.

Bro, is it possible that this may not be golf-related? Could it be some sort of soap/detergent which you had used? I know of people who are allergic to types of handwash, especially laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. I'm not saying that this is the cause but I'm wondering if you've considered other causes?

Technospaz wrote:

Bro, is it possible that this may not be golf-related? Could it be some sort of soap/detergent which you had used? I know of people who are allergic to types of handwash, especially laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. I'm not saying that this is the cause but I'm wondering if you've considered other causes?

I thought abt that possibility too. Just that I highly suspect it's from the very frequent golf practice in recent times.

Anyway, I walked into a chinese medical hall after lunch n coincidentally, this TCM doctor who specializes in skin disorders was there n no one was in the queue. So I went to consult her......

Her diagnosis was that there are too much toxic in me and my body will react differently as I grow older. So while I never had such allergy before, doesn't mean I won't have it now. The sweat n the allergy to something - but still dunno to what - is how my body reacted n got these itchy blisters.

Of coz the kind of food, lifestyle etc will also affect our body.....so bottomline is...I'm not young anymore n my body is telling me not to abuse it with more beer, seafood, unhealthy gourmet food etc.

Will be on a week's of Chinese medication n see how it goes!

mambo wrote:

Technospaz wrote:

I don't think it's shingles. That's typically accompanied by pain and I don't think mambo here would be able to hold a golf club if it were. It may be something minor which can be treated easily. But this is a good thread to remind others to be mindful when playing and not to ignore small ailments.

Let us know how it goes, mambo. All the best, buddy!

Yup, I'm still able to hold the club without any pain. Thanks!

The small clusters of blisters seem to be drying up and are less itchy now. Two small clusters have merged to form one big blister. Will lay off my practice for two days n see the doc on Mon.

Your symptoms are exactly like mine. It is definitely an allergy.  

Like what Technospaz said, try eliminating the hand wash soap/ dishwashing detergent etc etc. Test one by one.

Hi guys, it's been a few months and the problem is still on and off....it's confirmed to be a form of  Eczema.

I can only link it to golfing as I've not had such issues before (playing once a year previously vs once a fortnight now).
It's more obvious after each round of golf where my right palm skin condition will deteriorate more than left palm. Also read that I could be allergic to the grip itself or the glove which have components of rubber - latex allergy.

Are there any gloves or grips that are latex free in the first place? Btw, I wash my gloves and clean my grips after every game.

Are they small little cluster of blisters?
If you use a small needle to puncture them, there will be some fluid coming out.
They tend to spare around the area and can get rather itchy?

babolat wrote:

Are they small little cluster of blisters?
If you use a small needle to puncture them, there will be some fluid coming out.
They then to spare around the area and can get rather itchy?

Yup, small little clusters.
Have not tried poking them. They just dry up after a few days.
Yes, spread to the rest of the palm and even to the back of the hand, and rather itchy at times!