Are you also getting small watery blisters on your hands and feet that itch? It could be dyshidrotic eczema!

Do you have small, watery blisters on your hands, between your toes, or on your palms that are unbearably itchy? Sometimes when these blisters dry out, the skin cracks and becomes painful, causing even more trouble? Then you may have a skin condition called 'Dyshidrotic Eczema'. Don't worry, we'll talk about this in detail and very simply today.

What is Dyshidrotic Eczema?

Simply put, it's a long-term, or rather, lingering, skin condition . It's characterized by the development of small, water-filled blisters on the fingers, palms, and sometimes soles of the feet. The skin can also become dry and itchy . Think of it like tiny soapstone blisters.

This disease has several other names. Some people also call it Dyshidrosis, Acute Palmoplantar Eczema, Vesiculobullous Dermatitis, or Pompholyx. Despite the many names, the symptoms are largely the same.

Who is more likely to develop this condition?

Anyone can develop dyshidrotic eczema. However, some people are more likely to develop it. Let's take a look at who they are:

• Usually for people between the ages of 20 and 40 .
• This condition is common in women .
• If you or someone in your family has had eczema before.
• For those who have previously developed contact dermatitis .
• Some people have an allergic reaction when a foreign substance, that is, an antigen, comes into contact with their body. This can happen to people like that too.
• This condition can sometimes occur in people who receive antibody injections, that is, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which are given to people with weakened immune systems.

For example, some women wear jewelry that touches their hands frequently. Researchers say that metals like nickel or cobalt in this jewelry may also be a cause of this eczema. That may be why it is seen more often in women. Overall, about 50% of people who develop dyshidrotic eczema are allergic to some antigen.

How common is this situation?

In occupational or clinical settings, between 5% and 20% of hand dermatitis cases are reported to be caused by dyshidrotic eczema.

How does dyshidrotic eczema affect the body?

This disease mainly affects the skin on your palms, the sides of your fingers, and the soles of your feet .

You may develop small blisters on your skin that look like sebaceous glands . These blisters are usually about one to two millimeters in size. However, sometimes these small blisters can join together to form one large blister.

After these blisters dry up, the skin in that area may become scaly and cracked . It can also be a little painful.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema can come on suddenly, subside after a few days, and then return. These symptoms can last for weeks. Check to see if you have any of these symptoms:

• Small, hard blisters appear on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet.
• These blisters can sometimes be painful .
• Severe itching and scaling of the skin on or around the blisters.
• Increased sweating associated with blisters.
• As the blisters fade, the skin in that area becomes dry and cracked .

If you scratch these areas frequently, the skin can become thicker. Large blisters or areas with many blisters can sometimes become infected . So it's important to control scratching as much as possible.

What causes this condition? (Triggers)

Doctors and researchers still don't know exactly what causes dyshidrosis, but they believe that it can be triggered by a combination of factors.

• Immune system dysfunction: If you have dyshidrotic eczema, your immune system may overreact to minor irritants or allergens. This overreaction causes inflammation of the skin.
• Allergies: Exposure to certain substances such as cement, nickel, cobalt, and chromium can aggravate this eczema. It can also be aggravated by other allergies such as hay fever/allergic rhinitis or certain food allergies.
• Moisture: Dyshidrotic eczema can also be caused by constantly sweating and wet hands or feet. This is something to be careful of with the climate in our country.

Is this spreading? Is it contagious?

In some severe cases, these blisters can grow larger and spread to the backs of the hands, feet, and fingers, but they do not spread to other parts of the body.

The most important thing is that dyshidrotic eczema is not contagious. You cannot spread it to someone else.

However, if you break the skin by scratching the blisters, it can lead to infections. If the blisters become infected, you should definitely see a doctor. They can then give you antibiotics to treat the infection.

How do you diagnose this?

When you see a doctor, they will examine the affected areas of your skin. They may ask questions such as whether you are under a lot of stress, whether anyone in your family has this condition, whether you have used any new skin products, worn new jewelry, or eaten new foods.

What are the diagnostic tests?

Your doctor may order certain tests to confirm your diagnosis or rule out other similar conditions, such as contact dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. These may include:

• Allergy tests.
• Taking a small piece of skin for examination (Biopsy).
• Blood tests.

How do you cure dyshidrotic eczema?

Many people start by managing this condition with a home skin care regimen.

What treatments can be done at home?

• Use lukewarm water instead of hot water when washing your hands.
• Soak your hands and feet in cold water for a while to reduce symptoms.
• To reduce itching and inflammation , apply cool compresses with a clean cloth soaked in cold water as needed. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, let air dry, and then apply a good moisturizer. It's best to do this three to four times a day.
• To prevent skin from drying out, apply a good moisturizer several times a day. This is very important.
• Dry your hands and feet quickly and thoroughly after bathing or swimming.
• If possible, reduce the number of socks, stockings, and shoes you wear. If you absolutely must wear them, wear cotton or wool socks that absorb moisture and shoes that are breathable and don't constrict your feet.

Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as topical corticosteroid creams or ointments . They may also prescribe oral antihistamines (such as fexofenadine and cetirizine). These can help reduce inflammation and itching.

What treatments are provided on medical recommendation?

If your dyshidrotic eczema is severe, your doctor may recommend treatments like these to help relieve symptoms:

• System-wide corticosteroids: If topical corticosteroid creams do not provide relief, your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid medication, such as prednisone.
• System-wide nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drugs: Since taking oral steroids for a long time can be harmful to your health, your doctor may recommend medications such as methotrexate tablets, mycophenolate tablets, or dupilumab injections.
• Phototherapy: This involves using special lamps to direct ultraviolet light, usually ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, at the skin. These UV rays can help treat some skin conditions, including dyshidrotic eczema. However, UVB rays can cause permanent dark spots (hyperpigmentation) in people with darker skin, so it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about this if you have darker skin.

Is there a way to get rid of this quickly?

Of course, everyone's body is different. Some people may find relief with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. Others may need stronger prescription corticosteroid creams like Clobetasol.

Dyshidrotic eczema usually improves with treatment, but it can recur over time. Therefore, you may need to follow a specific skin care regimen or continue to use medication to manage your symptoms.

Can dyshidrotic eczema be prevented?

Unfortunately, dyshidrotic eczema cannot be completely prevented. It is a long-term medical condition that can flare up from time to time throughout life . However, flare-ups can be managed.

What to do if you have dyshidrotic eczema?

If you have dyshidrotic eczema, there are things you can do to help reduce flare-ups. Following a good skin care routine and using medications such as antihistamines can help control symptoms. If needed, there are other treatments, such as phototherapy.

Many people live with dyshidrotic eczema, but it can be challenging at times. You may have the condition once and never have it again, or it may flare up again and again throughout your life. Sometimes, symptoms may go away completely. These periods are called remission periods. Good skin care and treatment can help to prevent flare-ups and prolong these periods of remission.

Remember, avoid triggers, apply moisturizer to your skin, take prescribed medications, and follow your doctor's instructions.

There are a few things you can do to reduce the discomfort caused by your blisters:

• Wash the affected areas with a mild soap .
• Apply an antibacterial cream or ointment .
• Cover the affected areas with a bandage or piece of gauze .
• Change the bandage at least once a day.

It may seem like a good idea to pop the blister and peel it off. However, doing so is not a good idea at all. The skin over the blister is there to protect the layers of skin underneath from infection.

When should you see a doctor?

It's best to see a doctor as soon as you notice blisters on your hands, fingers, or feet. The sooner you start treatment, the easier it is to control the condition.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

• How do you tell if I have dyshidrotic eczema?
• If I don't have dyshidrotic eczema, what other skin condition could I have?
• Is there a cream or ointment you can prescribe?
• What medications do you recommend?
• What home remedies do you recommend?
• Is there a particular moisturizer you recommend?
• Should I see a dermatologist or other specialist?

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Dyshidrotic eczema is a common skin condition that can be painful and itchy. You may have it once in your life and never get it again, or it may recur periodically throughout your life. If you have painful, blistering, itchy skin, be sure to talk to a doctor.

The most important thing is to seek proper medical advice as soon as you notice symptoms. Don't just do what you feel or go for treatment based on what others say. Sometimes, it can make the situation worse.

Mild cases of dyshidrotic eczema can be treated with over-the-counter creams, ointments, and medications. Severe cases may require prescription medications or other treatments. By following a proper skin care regimen, you can minimize the effects of dyshidrotic eczema and stay healthy.

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