The Eczema Site

Dyshidrotic eczema is a special eczema of unknown background, which is dominated by blisters of varying sizes. The disease is most common in middle aged people. The eczema sits mostly on the hands and fingers, 80 percent, more rarely on the feet. A form of especially big sized vesicles is called vesicular or pompholyx, but is usually an expression of a powerful allergic reaction.

Clinical Picture

The eczema start in its classic form and often with small fine blisters along the sides of the fingers. Thereafter it will spread to the palms with the onset of redness, scaling, blisters and sores after earlier blisters.

Cause Of Dyshidrotic Eczema

All eczema can produce any kind of blistering. The more of an acute eczema, more and bigger blisters can show up. No underlying allergy can usually be detected in a so-called clean dyshidrotic eczema. The name dyshidrotic due to a long time ago it was thought that a defective sweating into the skin could be a cause of the eczema, especially when it appeared in environments with high heat and humidity. Stronger psychological stress appears to be behind some cases. About half of the patients have so called atopic eczema, that have or have previously had a tendency to hay fever, asthma or dry skin. Other moist eczema with stronger blistering, vesicular pompholyx, may be the manifestation of an allergic reaction, such as metals, but is not a so-called classic dyshidrotic eczema. A fungal infection of the feet can sometimes cause blisters on the fingers and palms.

Process

The eczema is usually obstinate and difficult-treated, with changes that come and go over a long time, to eventually decay and disappear, often independent of specific treatment. Relapse Risk exists.

Treatment For Dyshidrotic Eczema

Acute stages with stronger blistering is treated with moist wrapping or hand baths. Initially it requires treatment with strong cortisone creams, which later gradually are decreased. If the eczema becomes infected it requires antibiotic treatment. Sometimes the addition of medical light therapy, for example, PUVA. The underlying stress factors should also be taken into consideration. Contacts with skin irritating substances should be minimized and hands protected by gloves, during contact with water.