ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Dyshidrosis

What is dyshidrosis?

4 May 2021

It is a non-contagious skin inflammatory condition that causes the development of small liquid-filled blisters on the hands and feet, producing intense itching and burning.

Also known as dyshidrotic eczema or eczematous dermatosis, this condition is usually chronic, appearing and disappearing seasonally, and can appear at any age, but is more frequent between the ages of 16 and 32.

Stress, allergies, and atopic dermatitis are usually the indirect causes of its presence, although its direct origin is still unknown.

Signs and symptoms Dyshidrosis

  • Small blisters on the palms of the hands and feet.
  • In severe cases, the blisters may group, producing a large blister.
  • Pain.
  • Itch.
  • Irritation.
  • Scaling.
  • Skin thickening.

Potential risks:

  • Excess stress.
  • Contact with metals such as cobalt and nickel.
  • Have sensitive skin.
  • Suffer from atopic dermatitis.

In most cases, there are usually no complications and the symptoms are mild, but in others, the itching and pain are intense, so the fact of scratching continuously increases the chances of developing a secondary skin infection.

Diagnosis and treatment Dyshidrosis

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination that will help determine the nature of the injuries and if they are not sure of the diagnosis, you will be requested additional tests to make sure that it is not another skin condition.

The treatment will depend on the magnitude of the lesions and the degree of intensity of the symptoms, but generally includes:

  • Corticosteroids.
  • Phototherapy. 
  • Immunosuppressants. 
  • Injected botulinum toxin. 

Prevention recommendations:

  • Avoid scratching your skin.
  • Keep your skin constantly moisturized, especially your hands.
  • Perform hand hygiene with mild soaps and warm water.
  • Refrain from using detergents or irritating chemicals.
  • Try not to have contact with metals such as nickel, with objects made of this material, or consuming foods that contain it, such as:
    • Spinach.
    • Tomato.
    • Onion.
    • Pea.
    • Peanut.
    • Cabbage.
  • Use gloves to perform housework.
  • Lower your stress levels.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Dyshidrosis

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cun.es
  • merckmanuals.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Perelló AMR, Santos DJC, Alonso SPMT, et al. Penfigoide dishidrosiforme. Med Cutan Iber Lat Am. 2012;40(4):112-114.
  • Domínguez GMA, Beirana PA, López CLD. Dishidrosis asociada a dermatitis atópica en un paciente preescolar. Rev Cent Dermatol Pascua. 2001;10(1):36-38.

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