DYSHIDROTIC ECZEMA – Eczema Treatment

Dyshidrotic eczema appears as intensely itchy blisters on the hands, fingers and soles of the feet. When it affects the hands its called cheiropompholyx and pedopompholyx when it affects the feet. It is also known as pompholyx, keratolysis exfoliativa, or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet.

The term pompholyx (Greek "bubble") is generally reserved for the cases of deep-seated itching blisters. Generally associated with, but not caused by, excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis).

The cause of this pattern of eczema is not fully understood but in some cases there is a history of allergic contact dermatitis especially to nickel. Very often no specific allergen is found despite extensive patch testing. This form of eczema is aggravated by stress. Oral antihistamines help to alleviate the intense itch. Frequently applied calamine lotion helps to cool the affected skin. For the best treatment for dyshidrotic eczemawe recommend using Eczema-Ltd III

The condition is characterized by the sudden onset (1-3 days) of deep-seated, clear blisters. In the later stages, scaling, thickening, and painful fissuring typically occur. Secondary bacterial infection is very often a complication with dyshidrotic eczema. In many patients, the condition worsens during the summer months.

Hand eczema occurs most frequently in persons who frequently have their hands immersed in water, such as food preparers, nurses, or florists. The warm, moist conditions in shoes provide an ideal situation in which foot dermatitis may also flourish. These eruptions often become chronic and can be severe. Chronic hand-and-foot eczema is similar to other forms of dermatitis in appearance.

Dyshidrotic dermatitis (pompholyx) is a form of hand eczema more common in women which starts on the sides of the fingers as itchy little bumps and then develops into a rash. The condition can also affect only the feet. Some patients have involvement of both the hands and feet.

Hand eczema is the general term used to describe a variety of skin irritations that your hands can develop. You may have itchy, scaly patches of skin that flake constantly. Or your hands may become red, cracked and painful. In some cases, the rash worsens into weepy bumps. These problems can happen to anyone at any time of life, but they are more likely:

Dishpan hands are actually a form of hand eczema. It occurs because constant wetting and drying breaks down the skin's protective outer barrier. If you already have hand eczema or are recovering from an episode, you need to avoid getting water on your hands so often. Perfumes and preservatives in soaps and irritants in household cleansers can make things worse.

Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy solution to hand eczema. Clearing up an episode of the condition can take several months, and you'll need to continue babying your hands for as long as a year even though they appear eczema-free.

The exact cause is not known. Dyshidrotic eczema often appears during times of stress. People who have dyshidrotic eczema are genetically predisposed to it. Some consider it is caused by abnormal sweating. The condition may be mild with only a little peeling, or very severe with big blisters and cracks which prevent work. The first (acute) stage shows tiny blisters (vesicles) deep in the skin, associated with itching and a burning feeling. The later and more chronic stage shows more peeling, cracking, or crusting. Some patients will have mostly one stage, and some patients will have mostly the other. Some times both stages occur at the same time. Secondary infection with staphylococcal bacteria is not infrequent. The result is pain, redness, swelling and crusting or pustules.

As in other forms of hand eczema, pompholyx is aggravated by contact with irritants such as soapy water, detergents and solvents. Contact with them must be avoided as much as possible and protective gloves worn. Some people with pompholyx are found to be allergic to nickel, a common metal. Nickel allergy can be detected by patch testing. These patients must try not to touch nickel items.

Pompholyx often runs a chronic course, but may go away for long periods. It often reappears after a period of nervous tension, worry or stress. Unfortunately pompholyx does not have any quick sure cure.

Possible triggers:

Clearing up your hand eczema depends largely on how you change your day-to-day habits. These changes may be difficult, and that's why we've gathered together this collection of tips for living with hand eczema to make the process easier for you:

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DYSHIDROTIC ECZEMA - Eczema Treatment