Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Also known as dyshidrotic eczema, foot-and-hand eczema, and pompholyx, it can be associated with atopic dermatitis and seasonal allergies. There is no cure for the condition, which can be treated but will most likely recur.
This article discusses dyshidrotic eczema and its symptoms and causes. It also covers how the condition is diagnosed and treated.
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What Does Dyshidrotic Dermatitis Look Like?
Dyshidrotic dermatitis usually involves the palms of the hands and sides of the fingers. The soles of the feet and the area between the toes can also be involved.
Symptoms include:
The pain can make it difficult to walk or use your hands.
The rash can begin suddenly as a crop of clear, tapioca-like vesicles that appear in clusters.Burning and itching sensations may precede a breakout. The vesicles can sometimes blend into each other, forming large blisters.
Open blisters may become infected. If you notice increased redness, warmth, pain, swelling, oozing, or crusting, call your healthcare provider.
Chronic dyshidrotic eczema leaves the skin reddened, thickened, and with deep cracks, especially if it has been repeatedly scratched.It may also cause changes in the nail.
What Triggers Dyshidrotic Dermatitis?
The cause of dyshidrotic dermatitis isn’t known. It’s not contagious and it’s not a dysfunction of the sweat glands, as once thought, but it does occur around those glands.
The condition has an average age of onset of 37, although it may appear at any age. It is more common in females than males.You are also more likely to develop dyshidrotic eczema if you have relatives who also have it.
There is a strong link between this condition andatopic dermatitis.This leads some professionals to believe that dyshidrotic dermatitis is a form of atopic dermatitis on the hands and feet.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis is also more common if you have seasonal allergies or a history ofcontact dermatitis. Takingintravenous immunoglobulin therapyis associated with a higher risk of developing the condition.
Trigger Factors
Many factors can contribute to a flareup of dyshidrotic dermatitis or make an existing rash worse:
How Dyshidrotic Dermatitis Is Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about any allergies, as well as your profession and hobbies to see if you’re exposed to anything that could be contributing to your symptoms.
If there is any uncertainty, your healthcare provider may also order:
The Difference Between Blood Tests and Skin Tests for Allergies
Dyshidrotic eczema is often misdiagnosed and can easily be confused with other skin problems like:
An Overview of Hand Eczema
What Is the Fastest Way to Cure Dyshidrotic Dermatitis?
There is no cure for the condition, but it can be managed. Most dyshidrotic eczema attacks resolve on their own within one to three weeks.
The rash can be intensely uncomfortable, and you can use medication to control itching and speed up healing. In some cases, medications are used to help keep dyshidrotic eczema flares at bay. Most people need a combination of treatments.
How to Prevent Flare-Ups
Although it’s not possible to completely prevent flare-ups, you can greatly reduce their frequency with careful treatment.
If you have triggers, knowing them can be the best defense for preventing future outbreaks.
Commit to these personal care suggestions as well:
Summary
Dyshidrotic dermatitis is a type of dermatitis that causes small blisters to form on the palms, fingers, and soles of the feet. It usually begins suddenly and progresses to scaly rings that may crack and peel.
There is no cure for dyshidrotic dermatitis, but the condition can be treated with topical and oral medications. Avoiding triggers is an important way to prevent future outbreaks.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema signs and symptoms.Harvard Health Publishing.Dyshidrotic eczema: Effective management strategies.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839Gladys TE, Maczuga S, Flamm A.Characterizing demographics and cost of care for dyshidrotic eczema.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;86(2):107-112. doi:10.1111/cod.14007Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839Nishizawa A.Dyshidrotic Eczema and Its Relationship to Metal Allergy.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;51:80-5. doi:10.1159/000446785American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema signs and symptoms.Harvard Health Publishing.Dyshidrotic eczema: Effective management strategies.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839Gladys TE, Maczuga S, Flamm A.Characterizing demographics and cost of care for dyshidrotic eczema.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;86(2):107-112. doi:10.1111/cod.14007Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839Nishizawa A.Dyshidrotic Eczema and Its Relationship to Metal Allergy.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;51:80-5. doi:10.1159/000446785American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema signs and symptoms.Harvard Health Publishing.Dyshidrotic eczema: Effective management strategies.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839Gladys TE, Maczuga S, Flamm A.Characterizing demographics and cost of care for dyshidrotic eczema.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;86(2):107-112. doi:10.1111/cod.14007Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839Nishizawa A.Dyshidrotic Eczema and Its Relationship to Metal Allergy.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;51:80-5. doi:10.1159/000446785American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema signs and symptoms.
Harvard Health Publishing.Dyshidrotic eczema: Effective management strategies.
Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic eczema: A common cause of palmar dermatitis.Cureus. 2020;12(10):e10839. doi:10.7759/cureus.10839
Gladys TE, Maczuga S, Flamm A.Characterizing demographics and cost of care for dyshidrotic eczema.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;86(2):107-112. doi:10.1111/cod.14007
Nishizawa A.Dyshidrotic Eczema and Its Relationship to Metal Allergy.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;51:80-5. doi:10.1159/000446785
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.
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