Dyshidrosis

Also known as

• Dyshidrotic Eczema
• Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
• Pompholyx

Dyshidrosis is a skin condition that is characterized by small blisters on the hands or feet. The name comes from the word "dyshidrotic," meaning "bad sweating," which was once believed to be the cause. Sometimes called pompholyx (Greek for "bubble") which is generally reserved for the cases of deep-seated pruritic vesicles. While this condition is not contagious to others, recurrence is common and for many can be chronic. Incidence/Prevalence in the USA is 20/100,000.

Contents

• 1 Symptoms
• 2 Causes
• 3 Treatment

Symptoms

Small blisters with the following characteristics:

• Blisters are very small (1 mm or less in diameter). They appear on the tips and sides of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles.
• Blisters are opaque and deep-seated; they are either flush with the skin or slightly elevated and do not break easily. Eventually, small blisters come together and form large blisters.
• Blisters may itch, cause pain, or produce no symptoms at all. They worsen after contact with soap, water, or irritating substances.
• Scratching blisters breaks them, releasing the fluid inside, causing the skin to crust and eventually crack. This cracking is painful as well as unsightly and often takes weeks, or even months to heal.
• Fluid from the blisters is serum that accumulates between the irritated skin cells. It is not sweat as was previously thought.

Causes

• Unknown, but commonly linked to excessive sweating during periods of anxiety, stress, and frustration. Some patients reject this link to stress. Sunlight is thought to bring on attacks, some patients link outbreaks to prolonged exposure to strong sunlight from late spring through to early autumn.
• Not caused by sweat retention, as was once believed; however, keeping skin damp will trigger or worsen an outbreak. For this reason, natural fibers for gloves, socks, and shoes are preferable to man-made materials that do not breathe as well.
• Inherited, not contagious.
• Can be the secondary effect of problems in the gut. Some sufferers claim diet can ease symptoms (relieving internal condition of Crohn's Disease or intestinal yeast infection).
• Ulcerative colitis
  

Treatment

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Potassium permanganate dilute solution soaks
• Salt soaks
• Topical non-prescription steroid creams
• Zinc oxide ointment
• Stress management counseling
• Light treatment: PUVA, Grenz Rays
• Ciclosporin a strong immunosuppressant drug used to combat dishydrosis caused by ulcerative colitis
• Efalizumab (Raptiva) a medication used to treat psoriasis