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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffA treatment plan for dyshidrosis may include:
- Corticosteroid creams or ointments. Your doctor may prescribe high-potency corticosteroid topical creams, such as clobetasol propionate (Temovate, others), to help speed the disappearance and improve the appearance of the blisters, and to treat the cracks and fissures that occur after the blisters have dried. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids.
- Compresses. Wet or cold compresses can help alleviate itching, increase the effectiveness of the topical creams and minimize blisters.
- Antihistamines. Your doctor may prescribe anti-itching medications called anti-pruritics or antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin), to help alleviate itching.
If these treatments aren't effective, your doctor may recommend a special kind of ultraviolet light therapy called psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA). This treatment combines exposure to ultraviolet light (phototherapy) with drugs that help make your skin more receptive to the effects of ultraviolet light (psoralens). A newer type of ultraviolet B light known as narrow-band ultraviolet B also may be of help in some people.
Immune-suppressing ointments, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), may be helpful when other treatment options haven't worked. But because these medications suppress the immune system, skin infections may be more likely.
Even with treatment, recurrence of dyshidrosis is common.
A newer option
Some doctors may consider recommending botulinum toxin injections to treat severe cases of dyshidrosis. However, this is a relatively new treatment option that has not yet gained acceptance among all physicians.
