SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: Dyshidrotic Eczema

What is Dyshidrotic Eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema is a skin condition in which small, itchy blisters develop on the hands and feet.

Symptoms

Small fluid-filled blisters 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 cause intense itching and scaly patches of skin that flake constantly or become red, cracked, and painful.

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

Exams and Tests

Your doctor may be able to diagnose this condition by simply looking at your skin. Sometimes, a skin biopsy or skin scraping 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.

Treatment

Anti-itch medicines taken by mouth (antihistamines).

Moisturizers

Strong steroid creams or ointments

Do not scratch the blisters. You should avoid frequent bathing, hand washing, and irritating substances, which can make itching worse.

Outlook (Prognosis)

There is no cure. Dyshidrotic eczema normally goes away without problems, but symptoms may return later. Excess scratching may lead to thick, irritated skin, which is more difficult to treat and takes longer to heal.

Possible Complications

Pain and itching that limits the use of the hands
Secondary bacterial infection

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor if you have:

Tenderness, redness, warmth, or fever, which may be signs of an infection
Any type of rash that does not go away with simple home treatments.

Alternative Names

Dyshidrosis; Pompholyx

References

Morelli JG. Eczematous disorders. In: Behrman RE, ed. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 654.

Eczema and hand dermatitis. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 3.

Resources by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Further read: Unlocking Human Skin Secrets, eczema included, in Dr. Julie Segre study is here.