Hello all,

Nice to virtually meet you! I am *very* excited to have come across this forum in hopes to diagnose the issues I am facing with scarring on my fingers/knuckles. I have been researching this over the course of a few years using terms like "hypertrophic scarring", and "keloid scars", but this is the first time I've come across "Dupuytren", and "knuckle pads".... and it feels good to be potentially narrowing down my issue.

I apologize if I go into too much detail, or use the wrong terminology, but here is a background on me and my problem.

---- I'm 24 - At age 16 I had two plantar warts pop up that were removed with acid treatment. One was on my left index finger's DIP (Top knuckle?), and the other was essentially the virus having spread flat and across my entire left thumb knuckle. The treatment left minor scars that have gotten much worse over 8 years time.
---- At age 20 I was diagnosed with Psoriasis. I also "self-diagnosed" myself with Dishidrotic Eczema mainly in between my fingers, but it occasionally pops up in between my toes as well. Regardless- in addition to dandruff, mosquito bite reactions, and more... I have always had problems with my skin!
---- At age 22, two scar-like regions popped up on my right thumb knuckle, and my left index finger's PIP, just below the old acid treatment area on my left DIP.
---- I am a professional musician and play guitar. It doesn't majorly affect my playing, but because i'm a right-handed player, sometimes when my thumb is doing it's thing behind the neck of the guitar, it becomes uncomfortable as it is bent backwards.
---- I also have the hitch-hiker's thumb reflex, and if I bend my thumb back to it's fullest extent, the scar scrunches up and I feel uncomfortable pressure and slight pain.
---- In addition to this potentially affecting mobility, I am self-conscious of these scars. In social situation, when handing someone something, or paying a cashier, I now subconsciously avoid using my left hand :(

Again, I am posting this in hopes that someone who suffers from this can relate to me, or even better, can educate me or narrow down a possible route towards treatment. I have been to a dermatologist for treatment for my psoriasis, and showed and mentioned these to him, but he said he essentially "can't do anything" because they are too "attached..." whatever that means.

This thread only allows me to attach one image, so I have done so, but I've uploaded the other images onto imgur so you can have a better look at the worst of my scars, and other areas. I'd greatly appreciate anyone's insight and help with this problem! :) Here are the pictures: http://imgur.com/a/20aD3

Thanks so much!

Welcome to the forum from me too abenji

As Wolfgang says the photos don't really indicate DD, maybe Garrods pads but maybe not, more not from the photos. But really you need to see a specialist. Have you seen a hand surgeon experienced in treating DD? They would at least tell you if they think it is or is not DD, and whether they have seen this before and might give you a referral. Now, the thing about DD is that we recommend leaving nodules and Garrods pads well alone, except for using RT to treat early active DD symptoms, maybe a steroid shot to calm down inflammation, but rarely treat Garrods pads. I have DD and used to have a fibrotic area on one finger, hard skin grew and grew, tried acid, freezing, it kept on coming back. Eventually after having RT for early DD and despite it being outside the irradiated field it disappeared. So, in your case, if I may say so, although we don't know and it is, it too might be best left alone until a diagnosis is provided.

Best wishes SB