Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition in which small, itchy blisters develop on the hands and feet.
Alternative Names:
Dyshidrosis; Pompholyx
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The cause is not known. The condition seems to appear during certain seasons.
Symptoms:
Small fluid-filled blisters called vesicles appear on the hands and feet. They are most common along the edges of the fingers, toes, palms and soles. These blisters cause intense itching.
Scratching leads to skin changes and skin thickening. There may be cracks on the fingers or toes.
Large blisters may cause pain.
Signs and tests:
Your doctor may often diagnose this condition by simply looking at your skin.
Sometimes, a skin biopsy or skin scraping may be needed to rule out other causes.
Review Date: 4/12/2007
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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General Dermatology
