Itchy skin, blisters, or dryness on your hands or feet are never fun skin issues. However, 9.1% of men and 11.1% of women will deal with some form of eczema in adulthood. While the exact reason why women are more likely to deal with dyshidrosis eczema, there is speculation it is due to certain professions being female dominant.
Dyshidrotic Eczema Explained
If you have never had an issue with your skin and are now developing small blisters and dry, itchy skin that seems to linger no matter what you do (or don’t) put on, chances are you have developed dyshidrosis eczema. This form of eczema is a long-term skin condition affecting fingers, hands, and feet. It is often manifested with itchiness or small blisters 1-2 millimeters in size. In extreme cases, it can be accompanied by a burning sensation. Other symptoms are increased sweating around the blisters and dry, cracked skin as the blisters begin fading. In time, it may manifest as reddened, hard skin patches, scaling or peeling skin, cracks in your skin, or color changes in your nail beds.
Dyshidrosis eczema is not contagious. But in severe cases, the blisters may get bigger. Thankfully, it will not spread to other parts of the body. It can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 20-40. Often, it will go away with simple treatment such as a thick hand lotion or the use of pure aloe and colloidal oatmeal. For more intense cases, dyshidrosis eczema is treated with prescription medicine.
What Causes Dyshidrosis Eczema?
Despite the significant number of people affected by dyshidrosis eczema, there is no “one cause fits all” reason why someone develops this type of eczema. Studies have found if you already have one form of eczema, you are predisposed to develop dyshidrosis eczema, and that it often runs in families. As already mentioned, there are some occupations where developing dyshidrosis eczema is more likely. These fields include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Catering
- Cleaning professionals
- Hairstylists
- Healthcare professionals
- People work, or worked with, cement
- Metal workers
- Mechanics
However, being in a particular industry is not the only factor in developing dyshidrosis eczema. There are other triggers for this type of eczema. These include-
- Exposure to metal, especially nickel or cobalt
- Medication, especially aspirin or birth control
- An infusion of IVIG Intravenous immunoglobulin
- Smoking tobacco
- An existing infection, such as athlete’s foot
- Receiving UV radiation
- Overactive sweat glands
- Previous issues with atopic dermatitis
- Stress
- Very warm or cold weather
- Very dry or humid air
Dyshidrosis Eczema: Diagnosis and Treatment
Dyshidrosis eczema is typically diagnosed by a healthcare provider. They will ask you a series of questions to determine what you have been around that could trigger the dyshidrosis eczema so they can narrow down the source. Tests may also be necessary. Common tests are skin scraping, a biopsy, patch skin testing, or blood work. These tests can help isolate the cause as well as determine if the dyshidrosis eczema is a result of a compromised autoimmune system.
How dyshidrosis eczema is treated depends on the extent of the flare-up. Because no two cases are the same, the treatment can vary based on needs. But there are some standard approaches.
- Moisturizing lotion or cream
- Steroid ointment
- Calcineurin creams
- Oral steroids (used in severe cases)
- Draining larger blisters
- Psoralen and ultraviolet light (for chronic, extreme symptoms)
To be sure your skin condition is treated properly, it is recommended you seek professional help. The knowledgeable team at North Texas Allergy and Asthma Center is committed to determining the cause of your skin irritants. We will listen to what you have to say and take the steps necessary to help you feel better. Don’t suffer in silence. Reach out today to get the answers you need.
