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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
In dyshidrosis, the affected skin becomes inflamed (dermatitis). As a result, the junctions between the skin cells open and allow fluid (serum) to fill the spaces. Doctors refer to this process as spongiosis because, when viewed under a microscope, the skin becomes more sponge-like with these many fluid-filled spaces.
Signs and symptoms of dyshidrosis include:
- Small, itchy bumps that gradually progress to a rash made up of fluid-filled blisters (vesicles)
- Intense itching
- Cracks or grooves (fissures) on your fingers or toes
- Pain, especially with large blisters
The small, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) most commonly occur on the palms and fingers of your hands. They may also occur on the soles and toes of your feet. The blisters usually last about three weeks.
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you have a rash on your hands or feet that doesn't go away on its own. Also contact your doctor if you've been diagnosed with dyshidrosis and have signs and symptoms of an infection, including fever, or pain or inflammation at the rash site.
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 28, 2010.
- Habif TP. Pompholyx. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier. 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniq=207915498#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00012-2--s0390%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Wollina U. Pompholyx: What's new? Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 2008;17:897.
- Wolff K, et al. Dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies. 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5190831&searchStr=eczema%2c+dyshidrotic. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Veien NK. Acute and recurrent vesicular hand dermatitis. Dermatologic Clinics. 2009;27:219.
- Berger TG. Pompholyx; vesiculobullous hand eczema (formerly known as dyshidrosis, dyshidrotic hand eczema). In: McPhee SJ, et al. CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies. 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=1209&searchStr=eczema%2c+dyshidrotic. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 6, 2010.
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