Dyshidrotic eczema is a sudden rash of small, itchy blisters on your palms and along the sides of your fingers. This skin condition can also make blisters pop up on the soles of your feet or on your toes. Your doctor might call it by other names, including dyshidrosis, foot-and-hand eczema, pompholyx, vesicular eczema, or palmoplantar eczema.
Dyshidrotic eczema blisters The small, itchy blisters are the most noticeable sign of dyshidrotic eczema. These usually pop up in clusters. You may also have: The blisters often go away in 2-3 weeks. But the skin underneath can be red and tender for a while.
Dyshidrotic eczema can be mild or serious. If you have a serious case that affects your feet, the blisters can make it hard to walk. Blisters on your hands can make it hard to do things such as cooking, typing, or washing dishes. Sometimes, the blisters can get infected, especially if you scratch them a lot.
Signs that you have an infection include: Doctors aren’t sure what causes dyshidrotic eczema. It mostly affects adults aged 20-40, and you’re more likely to get it if you have allergies such as hay fever, a family history of dyshidrotic eczema, or other forms of eczema.
About half of all people with dyshidrotic eczema also have other types of eczema, such as contact and atopic dermatitis. This condition isn’t contagious. You can’t catch it from touching someone who has it.
Family history While doctors don’t know precisely what causes dyshidrotic eczema, it often runs in families, which suggests it might be genetic. Dyshidrotic eczema in women This condition is twice as common in women as in men.
Several things can set off dyshidrotic eczema, including: No lab test can confirm that you have dyshidrotic eczema, but if you notice blisters on your hands and feet, see a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in your skin).
They’ll look at your hands and feet, as well as your nails. Your doctor could also suggest tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as athlete’s foot.
You also might need to see an allergy doctor (allergist). Patch tests can show if you have an allergy to nickel or another metal. During these tests, your doctor will put patches with a small amount of different metals or other things on your skin to see whether you react to them.
Dyshidrotic eczema treatment cream Your doctor can prescribe an ointment or cream containing steroids or ceramides to ease swelling and get rid of the blisters. Your skin will take in the medicine better if you put a wet compress on it after you use the cream.
If you have a severe flare-up, you might need to take a steroid drug, such as prednisone, in a pill. An antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Alavert, Claritin) can help with the itch, too.
You might also apply a cold, wet compress to the blisters for 15 minutes at a time several times a day. Biologics for dyshidrotic eczema Your doctor may also prescribe a biologic. Biologics work differently than other atopic dermatitis treatments.
Instead of treating general inflammation all over your body, they target specific molecules. Several of these injectable or oral biologic medicines have been approved for treating dyshidrotic eczema.
They include: If these treatments don’t work well for you, you might try one of these: Draining dyshidrotic eczema blisters Your dermatologist can drain fluid from the blisters. Don’t try to do this yourself, as it could make your eczema worse.
Managing dyshidrotic eczema at home To control the blisters at home: Dermatologists suggest avoiding direct contact with items that contain high levels of nickel or cobalt, such as jewelry, clothing fasteners, or tools, to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions.
To manage your symptoms effectively and improve your quality of life, book an appointment with us today. Call us on +256 772 525 252 or email us at [info@michoesmedicalcentre.com](mailto:info@michoesmedicalcentre.com). We look forward to seeing you soon.
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