I have been womdering about similar skin problems because over the past few years my skin has gotten really tough and my veins too apparently to tne point that when I am having an IV started it will actually bend the cannula inside the needle every time. My mom is the same way and she often will have the skin splitting on her knuckles. I also have the bulging veins. Sometimes I notice the shiny skin and think scleroderma. I have POTS and EDS hypermobile type even though I am not very flexible. My mom’s hands also get stuck when she is doing things like driving to where she has to use the other hand to open it. I hope you were able to get some answers MJ and that you found a treatment that is helping.