What Does Dyshidrotic Eczema Feel Like?

This type of Eczema is intensely itchy, unlike other types of Eczema it is not spread out. For normal chronic Eczema, the itchiness is all over the body in different spots, but they are for the most part only very itchy under a scratching frenzy. Dyshidrotic Eczema cure can feel impossible.

Dyshidrotic Eczema on the other hand can be intensely itchy and concentrated, and it is unsatisfying to scratch because the blisters are under the skin. They come in blisters which make them, even more, a disturbance, as we humans like to pop things.

The location and structure of this type of Eczema also make it distinctively easier to irritate and inflame further.

The Science and Structure

Also known as Pompholyx. This type of Eczema is actually very different from normal Eczema.

Dyshidrotic Eczema generally appears on the hands and sole of the feet. The “bumps” is actually Eczema, the reason they look like that is because the skin of the hand and feet is extremely thick. Eczema is just a very broad term for any skin that is inflamed and itchy.

Initially, the Eczema turns up in small bumps, but if they get worse the bumps merge and form many large itchy bumps. The intense itchiness is to do with the fact that the skin is so thick, and the inflamed Eczema areas underneath have nowhere to go.

Only when they get to sufficient size to they penetrate the outer skin layer and come out, at which point they may pop open by scratching. This severely compromises the skin barrier system, as the blisters give way to large gaping wounds, which could cause further Eczema.

The final stage will lead to more inflammation and potentially the all too dangerous infected eczema scenario. It’s best to not wait for the bumps to grow, merge and blow up. The pain and suffering of the latter stages of this form of Eczema are extremely painful and hard to maneuverer because how much we use our hands and feet on a daily basis.

(Note: If the blister is scratched after the flare has subsided for a while, new skin underneath will prevent the wound being deep)

The exact causes of dyshidrosis are unknown. In 2013, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study by the University Medical Center Groningen reported that dyshidrosis outbreaks on the hands increased significantly among those allergic to house dust mites, following inhalation of house dust mite allergen. It can also be associated with similar skin allergic conditions, such as hay fever. For some persons with chronic dyshidrotic eczema, the eruptions may be seasonal in persons with allergies rhinitis (nasal allergy).

The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is not well understood but it has a hereditary aspect to it. Among the triggers are harsh chemicals, allergens, mental (nickel, cobalt and chromium), physical stress, frequent hand washing, or exposure to certain types of metals. Diagnosis is typically based on what it looks like and the symptoms. Confirmation of the diagnosis is by exclusion of other skin conditions which have a similar appearance such as scabies and pustular psoriasis. The dermatologist may request allergy testing and a culture & sensitivity test to rule out other types of dermatitis.

Stopitchy’s Advice based on Experience

Popping the Pompholyx or Dyshidrotic may feel very good, as the pressure on the nerves is released, much like when you pop a pimple, only this blister is really irritated, however popping increases the chance of depigmentation, scaring and a repeat of Dyshidrotic happening.

If this type of Eczema happens once in a blue moon, this is one that it’s a good idea to go thermonuclear on it. This means using a special type of steroid that penetrates thick skin.

Firstly before that to cease the itching you can use our Stopitchy cream which uses powerful surgery grade ingredients to immediately halt itching at the nerves. Our product is designed to alleviate extreme itching cases like in this case, only very little anti-itch cream is required to achieve the required effect.

Usually, only good Dermatologists know to use a specific steroid cream for especially thick skin in the hand. Such as Clobetasol Propionate. These types of steroids should NOT be used more than a few days. This is the closest thing to an instant dyshidrotic Eczema cure.

If on the other hand, this type of Eczema is part of your chronic Eczema, or is reoccurring we recommend adopting a lifestyle that would prevent outbreaks. Steroid creams are not good for repeat use. Extra care must be made to not irritate the blisters by scratching with nails, avoid chemical and allergen contact as much as possible. Do not wear gloves, air flow is important.

Apply very hard pressure to the blisters using a comb to satisfy the itch instead.

The skin on the hands and feet are very thick and require products that can penetrate deeply.

If you wish to scratch you should aim to scratch around the blisters not directly on them – bacteria infused with the blisters will just make the Eczema worst. In many cases, the itchiness is also around the blisters.

Conventional Treatment Options Available

Topical glucocorticosteroids (steroid) cream and ointments help to resolve the blisters, cracks, and fissures, however long-term use is not advised due to the skin-thinning side-effects.
Antihistamines applied or taken as an oral preparation to relieve itching. Fexofenadine can be used up to 180 mg per day.
Potassium permanganate dilute solution soaks used to ‘dry out’ the vesicles and kill off superficial Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Dapsone (diamino-diphenyl sulfone), an antibacterial used for chronic cases.
Alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid) has been approved for prescription in the UK. It is specifically used for chronic hand and foot eczema.

Experimental Treatment Options

• Tap water iontophoresis
• Localized photo chemotherapy (cream psoralen-UVA [PUVA]) has
  widely been used for therapy.
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to examine
  the therapeutic effect of UVA-1 irradiation on dyshidrotic hand eczema
• Botulinum toxin A injections

Dyshidrotic Eczema Cure Experiences

Vaseline is hardly the best emollient to trap moisture in, there is actually an ointment called Emollient that works better, it seems like many people diet was what ultimately solved the persons Dyshidrotic Eczema:

Put vaseline at all other times to trap moisture in, otherwise they’ll crack and bleed in the PHASE 2. Other moisturizers (even the dermatologist recommended) contain some irritant stuff that I cannot apply when there are open wounds. So, I stick to a lil’ bit of vaseline at all time (wipe excess with soft cloth) even if your hands look fine and don’t seem to need it.
Keep your hands clean, minimize contact with water and soaps (I used to have to wear double rubber gloves secured with rubberbands when I had showers!)
At the moment there’s no cure, they don’t even know the cause, but thu error and trial I recovered from it not by dealing with the symptoms, but going to the rooth of the cause. I tried many healthy diets/lifestyles to solve this problem because nobody seemed to be able to help me and after some improvements with the vegan, then macrobiotic (very complicated) diets I moved to eating 100% ORGANIC raw food. With very rare exceptions. Then lately I have done a 7 days water fast. IT IS GONE!!!
In my researches I came across many articles in the past that said how eczema like other stuff in the body is simply its desperate attempt to remove excess toxins. When our body is overloaded with toxins it will try to isolate and eliminate them as much as it can to the extremes of cancer.

Marilena

Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Diproprionate was used in this case, in all cases, the blisters progressively become worst if they are not taken care of

Your description of the condition is very articulate and accurate. I am going through the same thing, which is why I have joined. It started on my left toe, which at the time I thought was fungus. It probably was because it responded well to an antifungal. Months later not only did it come back there, but also on the bottom of both feet. I applied antifungals but nothing worked. The blisters expanded into a series of water-filled bubbles that made it painful to walk. I went to the doctor and he said it didn’t look like fungus, but might be fungus mixed with some type of allergy. He prescribed a clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream, and it works. However, as it clears the areas of application, it develops in other areas around the foot and now my hands. I try to not use the cream because I don’t want to get addicted to it, but it always comes back. Sad My fear is that I’ll have this for the rest of my life, and that I will always have to use the cream. I don’t mind following a routine, but I hear that those creams really dry you up and wrinkle your skin. SadReferences

Atlanta13 – mdjunction.com

Popping the blisters and removing dead skin is a good idea if the skin underneath has healed. Leaving dead skin around creates more bacteria which can actually aggravate the Eczema, this is why so many people find removing the blisters to be helpful, but it really is a timing thing:

Hey y’all. I just figured out today that Dyshidrosis is what I’ve had for the last 10 or so years. I’m 29 now, and I first got it around my senior year of HS/freshman year of college. The dermatologist I saw way back told me it was a form of eczema, but never elaborated and gave me a cream I was supposed to use to help clear it up (I forget what it was, but it was a translucent white-ish color, I think). It didn’t really work, so I just abandoned using it cuz it made my hands all greasy.
At any rate, it’s never been much of a bother for me, thankfully, aside from the copious cracking skin and the mild stinging that brings. I could really care less how my hands look, to be honest, so I’ll usually use some lotion with shea butter to alleviate the dryness and cracking. I tend to get outbreaks 2-3 times a year, and it’ll eat up the sides of my fingers pretty good. Occasionally I’ll have a bit on my palms, but that’s uncommon. It’s definitely never presented symmetrically, as I get it way worse on my right hand than the left, which is where I first got it, coincidentally. I’ve never had it on my feet either, and I hope it stays that way since I play a lot of sports.

I’ve actually found that when I pop the blisters, peel the dead skin and throw on some bandaids, it heals everything up in about a week or two. I doubt that’s the most advisable route, but it’s worked for me thus far. Granted at times, I’ll have close to a dozen bandaids on between both hands, so it looks a bit strange, but I just tell people I was trying to wrangle some badgers and things went awry =P

IrishCreme – Mdjunction.com

Research References

Topical tacrolimus (FK506) and mometasone furoate in treatment of dyshidrotic palmar eczema: a randomized, observer-blinded trial, C Schnopp, R Remling, M Möhrenschlager… – Journal of the American …, 2002 – Elsevier

2. Successful treatment of dyshidrotic hand eczema using tap water iontophoresis with pulsed direct current., S Odia, E Vocks, J Rakoski, J Ring – Acta dermato-venereologica, 1996 – europepmc.org

3. Dyshidrotic eczema treated with mycophenolate mofetil, A Pickenäcker, TA Luger… – Archives of …, 1998 – archderm.jamanetwork.com

4. Comparison of localized high-dose UVA1 irradiation versus topical cream psoralen-UVA for treatment of chronic vesicular dyshidrotic eczema, H Petering, C Breuer, R Herbst, A Kapp… – Journal of the American …, 2004 – Elsevier

5. A double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial of UVA‐1 in the treatment of dyshidrotic eczema, MCA Polderman, JCM Govaert… – Clinical and …, 2003 – Wiley Online Library

6. Treatment of dyshidrotic hand dermatitis with intradermal botulinum toxin, C Swartling, H Naver, M Lindberg, I Anveden – Journal of the American …, 2002 – Elsevier

7. Adjuvant botulinum toxin A in dyshidrotic hand eczema: a controlled prospective pilot study with left–right comparison, U Wollina, T Karamfilov – Journal of the European Academy of …, 2002 – Wiley Online Library

8. Nickel cobalt and chromium sensitivity in patients with pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema), NK Vien, K Kaaber – Contact Dermatitis

9. Dyshidrotic eczema as an occupational dermatitis in metal workers, EM Boer, DP Bruynzeel, WG Ketel – Contact Dermatitis, 1988 – Wiley Online Library

• [C]Treatment of chronic palmoplantar eczema with local bath-PUVA therapy, CM Schempp, H Müller, W Czech, E Schöpf

• The dyshidrotic eczema area and severity index–a score developed for the assessment of dyshidrotic eczema, E Vocks, SG Plötz, J Ring – Dermatology, 1999 – karger.com

• Low‐cobalt diet for dyshidrotic eczema patients, J Stuckert, S Nedorost – Contact Dermatitis, 2008 – Wiley Online Library

• Management of chronic hand eczema, TL Diepgen, T Agner, W Aberer… – … dermatitis, 2007 – Wiley Online Library

• [C]Oral methoxsalen photochemotherapy (PUVA) of dyshidrotic eczema., MJ LeVine, JA Parrish, TB Fitzpatrick – Acta dermato-venereologica, 1980 – europepmc.org

• Complete remission of refractory dyshidrotic eczema with the use of radiation therapy.,MD Stambaugh, AS DeNittis, PE Wallner… – Cutis, 2000 – europepmc.org

• Generalized skin reaction following tinea pedis (dermatophytids), ME Iglesias, A España, MA Idoate… – The Journal of …, 1994 – Wiley Online Library

• Dyshidrotic eczema and occupation: a descriptive study, MP Lehucher‐Michel, MC Koeppel… – … Dermatitis, 2000 – Wiley Online Library

• Hand dermatitis: practical management and current concepts, E Epstein – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1984 – Elsevier

• The millennium criteria for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, JD Bos, EJM Leent, JH Smitt – Experimental dermatology, 1998 – Wiley Online Library