Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema, or dyshidrosis, is a skin condition in which blisters develop on the soles of your feet and/or the palms of your hands. The blisters are usually itchy and may be filled with fluid. Blisters normally last for about three weeks and may be related to seasonal allergies or stress.

 

What Causes Dyshidrotic Eczema?

Although the causes of dyshidrotic eczema are not understood, the condition seems to be related to the weather. Dyshidrotic eczema strikes most often in the hot, humid summer months, or in winter months, when the air is dry and cold.

Factors that can lead to an outbreak of dyshidrotic eczema blisters are:

• Hands that are frequently wet, from work exposure or frequent hand washing
• Exposure to harsh chemicals that may irritate the hands
• A history of previous skin irritations, including eczema in other areas
• A history of asthma or seasonal allergies
• A history of contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction due to contact with particular substances, such as nickel

 

Symptoms

Small fluid-filled blisters called vesicles appear on the fingers, hands, and feet. They are most common along the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles. These blisters can be very itchy. They also cause scaly patches of skin that flake  or get red, cracked, and painful.

Scratching leads to skin changes and skin thickening. Large blisters may cause pain.

 

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider may be able to diagnose this condition by looking at your skin.

A skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other causes, such as a fungal infection.

If your doctor thinks the condition may be due to an allergic reaction, allergy testing (patch testing) may be done.

Prevention of Dyshidrotic Eczema

A person that has dyshidrotic eczema can take some preventative measures to avoid onsets. Allowing feet to air dry often and managing sweating or excessive dryness. Avoiding jewelry and other objects made of nickel. Avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals such as scented soaps and regular laundry detergents with UV brighteners, or detergents that require fabric softener. They should Bath with (residue free) soaps that are gentle and rinse completely. Also be sure to use lukewarm water when rinsing or bathing.

The conditions may further be improved by managing stress and learning to express thoughts and feelings to others.

 

Dyshidrotic Eczema Treatment

There is no ultimate cure for this condition; instead the aim of the treatment course is to stabilize the patient’s symptoms. In order to avoid the worsening of the disease here are some helpful tips to follow:

•  Avoid scratching the hands. This can only worsen the state of the skin problem.
•  Take oral antihistamines. This can provide relief from the itchiness and can also facilitate sleep.
•  Ointment or creams. These are best applied two times a day and every after hand washing. Petroleum jelly is best to avoid dryness and to reduce itchiness.
•  Apply corticosteroid cream or ointments. These are helpful in reducing the inflammation. These creams include tacrolimus or pimecrolimus.
•  When the condition has come to a point that it cannot be controlled, steroid pills are provided.
•  Jewelry or rings can house bacteria. Usual cleaning and disinfecting them can avoid you the harm of having this skin condition.
•  After washing hands dry them and apply a moisturizer so to avoid dryness.
•  Cotton gloves are recommended. The use of water-proof gloves is not suitable especially when a person has already developed the skin disorder.

In order to attain good prognosis, one should be compliant with the treatment provided for. The doctor’s order should be followed accordingly. Even though there is no definite cure for this skin disorder, the symptoms can be controlled by following the steps above. We can also avoid complications such as severe pain and secondary bacterial infections if we follow the following guidelines above.