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Wrinkled Fingertips: What Do Pruney Fingers Indicate?

What Is Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers?

Wrinkled Fingertips[1] also known by the name of Pruney Fingers is quite a common occurrence. Generally the fingertips get wrinkled when the hand is immersed in water for quite a long period of time such as when washing dishes or the like, but in case if an individual notices Wrinkled Fingertips or Pruney Fingers without any indication of the hand being in water for a long time then it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition like diabetes, dehydration, or thyroid disorder.

Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers

What Do Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers Indicate?

As stated, the main cause of Wrinkled Fingertips or Pruney Fingers is the fingertips being immersed in water for prolonged periods of time, although if Wrinkled Fingertips are not caused by the hand being in water for a long time then it may signify an underlying medical condition like diabetes or a thyroid condition. Some of the common causes[2] of Wrinkled Fingertips or Pruney Fingers are:

  • Lymphedema: This is a medical condition in which there is building up or clogging of fluid in some areas of the fingers.
  • Thyroid Disorder: This is also a common cause of Wrinkled Fingertips or Pruney Fingers.
  • Parasympathetic Nerve Dysfunction: This medical condition is also known to cause Pruney Fingers.
  • Connective Tissue Disorders: Conditions like lupus and scleroderma also tend to cause Wrinkled Fingertips.

Some of the medical conditions which can cause Wrinkled Fingertips or Pruney Fingers are:

Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers Due To Dehydration: Wrinkled Fingertips can point to dehydration which can also be confirmed by presence of dryness in the hands and feet. There may also be peeling of the lips. As well there may be other distinct signs and symptoms of loss of water from the body suggesting dehydration. Wrinkled Fingertips due to dehydration is a temporary condition as when the condition improves the wrinkling also improves, but in case if an individual keeps on working despite the condition the hands can really get sore and damaged.

Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers Due To Diabetes: Nerve insufficiency or diabetes is also a cause for Wrinkled Fingertips. This is one of the common signs of uncontrolled blood sugars in an individual. Hence if an individual has Wrinkled Fingertips which is not caused due to dehydration or putting the fingers in water for too long then it may be a case of diabetes and it is advisable that the individual consult a physician to get that ruled in or out and start treatment if ruled in.

Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers Due To Lupus: Lupus is a medical condition in which there is inflammation of the skin. Since it is an autoimmune disease the classic features of this disease include swollen glands, reddish colored pale fingertips with wrinkling. If an individual has these symptoms then it is advisable that the individual gets an autoimmune workup done to confirm the diagnosis of lupus and if a diagnosis is confirmed then the individual should start treatment for it. In case if the diagnosis has already been established and there is still wrinkling of the fingertips then application of creams and moisturizers are helpful.

Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers Due To Thyroid Disorder: In case of an individual has Wrinkled Fingertips not caused by water and the individual has been ruled out for diabetes, lupus, or dehydration then thyroid disorder can be another cause related to Wrinkled Fingertips. Hence it is advised that the individual be checked for a thyroid panel to include T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4 and antibody. Thyroid disorders are common but most of the cases remain undiagnosed for far too long.

Wrinkled Fingertips Or Pruney Fingers Due To Vitamin Deficiency: Vitamin D and B12 deficiency has also been shown to cause Wrinkled Fingertips. There is enough evidence in the literature which shows the connection between Wrinkled Fingertips and inadequate vitamin D and B12. It is advisable to get a vitamin level checked out. In addition, maintain a diet which is rich in vitamins which help the skin remain without wrinkles. If an individual follows these suggestions then more likely than not the individual will get rid of Wrinkled Fingertips.

What Are The Treatments For Wrinkled Fingertips?

When Wrinkled Fingertips are caused due to the hand being in water for prolonged periods of time then it can be treated with lotions and moisturizers which can be brought from the market. However, if the Wrinkled Fingertips are caused due to some medical condition then treatment for that medical condition becomes imperative.

References:

  1. Water-induced finger wrinkles improve handling of wet objects (nih.gov)
  2. Wrinkly skin syndrome | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program (nih.gov)
Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:July 16, 2021

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