Description

Dyshidrosis is a skin condition that causes small, fluid-filled blisters that form on the palms of the hands and sides of the fingers. Sometimes the soles of the feet are affected too.

The blisters that itch after a couple of weeks and often comes back.

Treatment for dyshidrosis most often includes the prescription of steroid skin creams or ointments. Your doctor or other health care provider may suggest a different treatment, such as light therapy or medication that is taken by mouth or by injection. The appropriate treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms.

Dyshidrosis is also called dyshidrotic eczema and pompholyx.

Symptoms

Dyshidrosis symptoms include painful, itching and fluid-filled blisters on the sides of the fingers, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The blisters are small, about the width of a standard pencil lead. Are grouped in clusters and can be seen as the tapioca.

With severe disease, the small blisters that can be combined to form larger blisters. The skin affected by dyshidrosis can be painful and very itchy. After a couple of weeks, the blisters dry and peeling.

Dyshidrosis tends to come back regularly for months or years.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you have a rash on the hands or feet that is severe, does not go away, or goes beyond the hands and feet.

Causes

The cause of dyshidrosis is not known. Tends to occur in people who have a skin condition called atopic dermatitis (eczema) and allergic conditions such as hay fever or glove allergy. Dyshidrosis is not contagious.

Risk factors

The risk factors for dyshidrosis include:

  • Stress. Dyshidrosis seems to be more common during times of emotional or physical stress.
  • Exposure to certain metals. These include cobalt and nickel — often in an industrial environment.
  • The sensitive skin. People who develop a rash after coming into contact with certain irritants are more likely to form the blisters of dyshidrosis.
  • Atopic dermatitis. Some people with atopic dermatitis may have dyshidrosis.

Complications

To the majority of people with dyshidrosis, is just an itchy nuisance. For others, the pain and the itching may limit the use of their hands or feet. Intense scratching can increase the risk of a bacterial infection of the affected skin.

After the healing, you may notice changes in the color of skin in the affected area. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is more likely to occur in people with brown or Black skin. This complication most often go away over time without treatment.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent dyshidrosis. Can help to manage stress and avoid exposure to metal salts, such as cobalt and nickel.

Practice good skin care can help to protect the skin. These include:

  • With mild, nonsoap cleansers and warm water to wash your hands.
  • The drying of the hands.
  • The application of moisturizer at least twice a day.
  • The use of gloves. But if you note that the use of gloves worsens the rash, which may be sensitive to the gloves. Let your doctor know about this. Try to wear cotton gloves to avoid irritation. For wet activities, you might try to use cotton gloves under impervious gloves.

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis dyshidrosis, it is likely that your doctor may talk with you about your medical history and eyes on the affected skin. You might need other tests to rule out diseases that can cause symptoms similar to those of dyshidrosis. For example, a scraping of the skin can be tested for the type of fungus that causes athlete's foot. Or you could have a patch test. With this test, the skin is exposed to a small amount of allergen suspicious and watched for a reaction.

Treatment

Dyshidrosis treatment may include:

  • The corticosteroides.Su doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment to help clarify the blisters. Cover the treated area in a plastic wrap or a bandage wet helps the skin to absorb the medicine. The long-term use of steroids can cause side effects, such as spider veins and thinning of the skin. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe a short course of oral steroids, such as prednisone, as a bridge to other treatments.
  • Phototherapy. If other treatments are not effective, your doctor may recommend light therapy. In this treatment, a UV light called UVB narrow band which is directed to the affected skin.
  • Immuno-suppression of ointments. The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (Protopic) can be useful for people who want to limit their exposure to steroids. Do not combine this treatment with phototherapy.
  • The control of sweating. Excessive sweating of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet can contribute to dyshidrosis. Your doctor might suggest, deodorants, or injection with botulinum toxin A. This treatment can help reduce sweating and improve the skin.

Corticosteroids. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment to help clarify the blisters. Cover the treated area in a plastic wrap or a bandage wet helps the skin to absorb the medicine. The long-term use of steroids can cause side effects, such as spider veins and thinning of the skin.

In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe a short course of oral steroids, such as prednisone, as a bridge to other treatments.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Home treatment may include:

  • The application of a damp cloth. Damp cool cloth can help reduce the itching.
  • The taking of anti-itch drugs. The antihistamines that you can get at a store without a prescription can help to relieve the itching. Examples are diphenhydramine and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin).

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care provider. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist). Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Prior to his appointment, a list of answers to the following questions:

  • You have experienced this problem in the past?
  • Do you have an allergy, such as rubber, glue, fragrances, or nickel?
  • You've been under a lot of stress lately?
  • What medications and supplements do you take?
  • Are exposed to certain metals or chemicals at work or in other activities?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice your symptoms?
  • Your symptoms are present all the time or only once in a while?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Dyshidrosis