Dyshidrotic Eczema

What is Dyshidrotic Eczema?

This is a skin problem which is also known as dyshidrosis or pompholyx. This skin condition creates fluid-filled, small blisters or vesicles on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands or both.

These blisters occurring in dyshidrotic eczema normally last around three weeks and causes extreme itching. When these blisters dry, cracks and grooves or fissures develop, which can be very painful.

Management for dyshidrotic eczema most often requires topical creams, ultraviolet light or wet compresses to improve the appearance as well as ease symptoms.

What causes Dyshidrotic Eczema?

The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is not known. But, it can be linked with a similar disorder of the skin known as atopic dermatitis as well as allergic conditions, for instance, asthma and hay fever known as allergic rhinitis. Eruptions can be seasonal in individuals with allergies.

With dyshidrotic eczema, the affected areas of the skin come to be inflamed. Because of this, the connections between the cells of the skin open and this allows fluid or serum to seal these spaces. Physicians denote this development as spongiosis since when viewed under the microscope; the skin appears sponge-like with these numerous fluid-filled spaces.

Dyshidrotic Eczema Symptoms

Signs or symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema include:

• Itchy bumps which are small and which steadily develop into a rash consisting of vesicles which are blisters filled with fluid.
• Itching is intense
• With large blisters, there is pain – not so much with smaller blisters
• Fissures which or grooves or cracks on your toes or fingers
• Develops on the fingers and palms on the hand as well as toes and soles of your feet
• Blisters usually last about two to three weeks

Risk aspects for dyshidrotic eczema include:

Females

Females seem to have this condition more than men

Under Stress

Appear to be more frequent during stressful times

Metal Salts Exposure

Can include cobalt, chromium, and nickel – generally through cement or mechanical work.

Seasonal allergies

Such as hay fever

Moisture Exposure

If your skin is frequently open to water or other wet elements, this can trigger dyshidrotic eczema

For many individuals, dyshidrotic eczema is only an itchy awkwardness. But for some, the pain, as well as the itching, can limit the use of the hands. In other cases, damage to the skin– including stiffening of the skin – or an infection caused by the bacterium, can occur because of the sponge-like skin or due to scratching because of the intense itching. This can cause treatment to be more difficult as well as lengthier.

If you have a rash on your hands or feet which does not go away by itself in a few weeks, you should call your primary care physician. You should also contact your physician if he has diagnosed dyshidrotic eczema and the symptoms or signs of an infection, including pain, inflammation or fever have occurred primarily at the site of the rash.

In the majority of cases, your physician will be able to diagnose this skin problem solely on a physical exam. But your physician can also recommend a process called a KOH test to exclude other skin problems, such as fungal infection or contact dermatitis. The KOH test is performed by your physician scraping the skin with a glass slide and collecting dead skin cells. These skin cells are mixed with potassium hydroxide and then viewed under a microscope to single out a fungal infection.

If an allergy is suspected, a contact hypersensitivity allergy test can be done. This is generally referred to as a “patch test.” In the course of a patch test, possible allergens are smeared to a patch which is then positioned on the skin to check for any response.

Home Remedies for Dyshidrotic Eczema

• If you did have dyshidrotic eczema, the following self-care procedures could help:
• Scratching the rash should be avoided
• Skin exposure to water should be limited
• Use hand cream to moisturize hands after washing them
• Protect the hands from any irritants such as lotions that are perfumed or dishwashing soap
• Moisturize the hands or feet frequently so that they do not get dry
• Soak the affected areas with white vinegar or salt water soak for a period of time
• Never rub the skin but rather gently pat dry the skin to avoid any irritation
• Hot baths should be avoided – instead use lukewarm baths
• Use only fragrance-free, gentle soaps as well as other skin care products
• Avoid nickel completely
• Avoid harsh cleaning products such as detergents, chemicals and even with those which are mild, wear protective cotton gloves – not synthetic ones.
• Avoid scratching and keep nails clean and short

Dyshidrotic Eczema Treatment

A plan of treatment for dyshidrotic eczema includes:

Corticosteroid ointments or creams

The physician can recommend high-potent corticosteroid topical creams which help to hurry the fading as well as progress the appearance of the blisters and treat the cracks and fissures which happen after the blisters dry. In severe cases, the doctor can prescribe oral steroids.

Antihistamines

The physician can mention anti-itching drugs called antipruritics or antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin, or Alavert to relieve the itching.

Compresses

Cold or wet compresses may help alleviate itching, increase the effectiveness of the topical creams as well as minimize blisters.

Phototherapy

If most treatments are not effective, the physician can recommend an ultraviolet light therapy which is a special type called psoralen plus ultraviolet A or PUVA. This therapy combines exposure to ultraviolet light with drugs which helps make the skin more amenable to the effects of the light. There is also a newer kind of ultraviolet B light referred to as narrow-band ultraviolet B which can also help for some individuals.

Immune-suppressing ointments

These drugs such as Protopic and Elidel can be useful when other treatment options have failed. But since they suppress the immune system, skin infections can be very likely.

Botulinum toxin injections

Some physicians can consider botulinum toxin injections to treat the most severe cases of dyshidrotic eczema. This is a comparatively new treatment option which has not yet gained acceptance in the medical community.

Dyshidrotic Eczema Pictures