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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIn most cases, your doctor can diagnose dyshidrosis based on a physical exam.
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) test. Your doctor may recommend a procedure called a KOH test to rule out other conditions, such as a fungal infection or contact dermatitis. To perform a KOH test, your doctor scrapes your skin with a glass slide to collect dead skin cells. The skin cells are mixed with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and viewed under a microscope to help single out a fungal infection.
- Contact hypersensitivity allergy test (patch test). If an allergy is suspected to cause dyshidrosis, a patch test may help determine a possible cause. During a patch test, potential allergens are applied to a patch, which is then placed on your skin to check for a reaction.
References
- 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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