Ok I really need an answer
 

Ever since I had my second baby in 2009, My fingertips will get pruny (Like when you're in the water for too long). I'm nowhere near the water. I thought it was due to breastfeeding. I asked all my doctors and they don't know. They say it's probably a mineral deficiency. I do admit, I don't drink enough water, but when I was younger this never happened even when I was dehydrated.

What could be causing my pruned fingertips. I notice it when I'm pushing a shopping cart or driving and letting go of the steering wheel... it will get especially wrinkly. But when it's not touching anything, it looks fine.

I tried drinking tons of water and yes, it did get rid of it but temporarily. I drank at least 8 glasses of water within a few hours to achieve that.

Sorry for rambling, I'm just stressed, because I've had this since 09 and it isn't going away. I do get electric shock sensations in my fingertips every now and then, but I think that's due to my very mild herniated disc.

I found this recent article on Google:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_886415.html

But I would also suggest that you take some fish oil or Krill oil supplements, and/or eat more salmon or Omega-3 enriched foods (like Smart Balance products).

When women have children, this places a huge load on the mother to provide the essential fats for the baby's brain and nervous system development. Often then, the mother becomes deficient. So taking these and/or eating the right foods can replenish you.

The article suggests that this is neurological and genetic. But it could be you just need some replacements after childbirth.

People who expose their bare hands to cleaners/detergents alot, or solvents (like paint thinner or mineral spirits) can defat the skin of oils, and the fingers will prune up as well.

How long should I take it until I see improvement (weeks or months)?

Oh, I have an answer for this. Did you take antibiotics when you had your baby? Because I was on IV antibiotics for pneumonia and ended up with wrinkled fingertips. My doctor didn't know what it was, but when I looked it up, I found one website that suggested a fungal infection could cause wrinkled fingertips. I tried antifungal cream, and they felt better almost immediately. After a few days, my fingers looked completely normal.

However, it can also be caused by hypothyroid or diabetes, with hypothyroid being the most common cause. Have you noticed any significant weight changes or other changes that might suggest either of these problems? You may want to have blood tests done just in case. I had mine tested, and my levels were fine.

Yes I took an IV antibiotic (penicillin) just cause I was positive to be a strep carrier (and it could affect my baby, doctors told me it's common during pregnancy). Do you think that is what caused it? I gave birth twice and each time they put me on that.

It very well could be. Try using some over the counter anti-fungal cream. It doesn't really matter which brand or what it's for (yeast infections, athlete's foot, ringworm, etc.). I had good luck with clotrimazole. Rub it into your fingertips twice a day. If it's fungal, you should see some relief pretty quickly. It only took about 24 hours for me before I started seeing a huge difference. If it's not that, you may want to go to your doctor and get checked for diabetes or thyroid, which can also cause wrinkled fingertips.