Dyshidrotic eczema, often spelled as dishydrotic eczema, is a form of eczema that commonly appears on the hands and feet. This is a chronic skin condition that may recur throughout the affected individual’s life. Dyshidrotic eczema is a different eczema condition than atopic dermatitis, which is the most common form of eczema. Half of the people who are diagnosed with dyshidrotic eczema also have periodic outbreaks of atopic dermatitis.

The rash associated with dyshidrotic eczema consists of small blisters that contain a plasma-like liquid. The blisters of the rash are often described as having the same shape as beads of tapioca. Rashes from dishydrotic eczema cause intense itching. The rash may develop deep cracks in the skin that can be quite painful. The rash often becomes scaly. The pain of the rash may limit the person’s use of the part of the hand or foot that has the rash.

The cause of dyshidrotic eczema used to be thought to be a dysfunction of the sweat glands. However, this has been ruled out as the actual cause. The true cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown.
This chronic skin condition is more common in people who have a personal history or family history of asthma, hay fever, or other forms of eczema. Dyshidrotic eczema can occur equally in men and women. The individual’s first outbreak is usually before the age of forty, but the outbreaks of dyshidrotic eczema tend to lessen as the person gets older.

Even though the cause is unknown, there have been factors that seem to contribute to flair-ups of this condition. Two common activities that can cause flair-ups in someone with dyshidrotic eczema are smoking and drinking large amounts of coffee. Stress can also aggravate this condition. Like with many forms of eczema, extreme temperatures can exacerbate this skin condition.

When dishydrotic eczema is diagnosed, testing may be done to rule out an allergic reaction as the cause for the rash. This skin condition is often treated with corticosteroid cream. The doctor may instruct the patient to place a small sheet of plastic over the corticosteroid cream on the rash. The doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid or administer a corticosteroid injection.

Rashes from dyshidrotic eczema can be prone to infection. Therefore, a doctor may need to prescribe an antibiotic to treat any infection. An oral antihistamine is sometimes prescribed to help alleviate the intense itching. If the person scratches the rash, it can cause the skin to thicken. This makes the rash harder to treat.