Dyshirdrotic Eczema presents as a pervasive, extremely itchy, blistering rash most often found on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet or on the sides of the fingers.
Dyshirdrotic Eczema was at one time believed to be caused by the retention of perspiration between thick areas of skin, such as the soles of the feet or palms of the hand. More recently the accepted belief among healthcare professionals has been that Dyshirdrotic Eczema is an inherited allergic reaction. With Dyshirdrotic Eczema, the skin on the side of fingers, the soles of feet and eczema on hands, especially on the palms, are reacting to something in the environment and become itchy and blistered.
Signs and symptoms of Dyshidrotic Eczema
The signs and symptoms that indicate dyshidrotic eczema are fissures and cracks in the skin, severe itching, excessive perspiration, pain and swelling in the area of the rash, very small but pervasive blisters as well as weeping and crusting skin lesions.
Causes and Problems Associated with Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic Eczema can attack people of just about any age but is more commonly found in people between 20 and 50 years of age. The condition seems associated closely to genetics and is thought to involve an allergic response to some type of irritant in the environment. Many experts believe that cobalt, balsam or nickel are the most likely suspects causing this allergic reaction.
Cobalt and balsam are used extensively in manufacturing while nickel is often found in costume jewelry. There are many factors that can increase a person’s risk for an outbreak of dyshidrotic eczema, including chemical exposure to fragrances from lotions, fabric softeners or laundry detergents. Scented hand soaps and shampoos can also cause allergic skin reactions.
Sometimes suppressed emotions and anxiety from stress or ongoing frustration can cause outbreaks of dyshidrotic eczema. Bacterial infections along with other types of skin infections are also known causes for the onset of dyshidrotic eczema. Rapid changes within the environment can trigger outbreaks such as when an individual travels from an area of low humidity to an area of high humidity. The same issue applies to situations of rapid temperature changes as well. Individuals with a history of asthma seem to be more susceptible to the onset of this disease, as do people with family history of sinusitis or hay fever.
There have been some incidents where individuals with a fungal infection somewhere on the body can somehow cause dyshidrotic eczema on hands. For example, if a person has athlete’s foot, they are at risk of developing eczema on their hands.
Prevention of Dyshidrotic Eczema
An individual that has contracted dyshidrotic eczema can undertake a variety of preventative strategies to avoid or forestall onsets of the disease:
Allowing feet to air dry and managing perspiration and excessive dryness can be helpful.
Avoiding jewelry or other objects made of nickel.
Avoiding exposure to chemicals, such as scented soaps, laundry detergents or fabric softeners.
Bathing in residue-free soaps and rinsing the soap off the body very thoroughly after a bath can be helpful.
Managing stress and making sure to express thoughts and feelings to others more openly. This may require the help of a qualified therapist or counselor.
Treatments for Dyshidrotic Eczema
There are now many treatments available for dyshidrotic eczema used by today’s dermatologists. Some of the treatments include:
Keeping the skin dry and cool to avoid perspiration.
Antihistamines to decrease itching.
Nickel chelation therapy may be used to filter nickel deposits from the body. The use of a bentonite clay based detoxification program is also useful in eliminating heavy metals from the body.
A compress soaked in liquefied aluminum acetate (often referred to as Burow’s solution) can help heal skin lesions.
Phototherapy using UV light has been found helpful for many people.
Topical corticosteroid creams can help reduce itching and inflammation.
With proper treatments, dyshidrotic eczema usually heals completely, though reoccurring outbreaks are not uncommon. With careful management and preventative measures, such outbreaks can be kept to a minimum. Eczema on hands and on the feet can be a thing of the past with natural treatments!