Dyshidrosis; Pompholyx

Small fluid-filled blisters called vesicles appear on the fingers, hands, and feet. They are most common along the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles. These blisters cause intense itching and scaly patches of skin that flake constantly or become red, cracked, and painful.

Scratching leads to skin changes and skin thickening. Large blisters may cause pain.

Your doctor may be able to diagnose this condition by simply looking at your skin.

Sometimes, a skin biopsy or skin scraping may be needed to rule out other causes, such as a fungal infection.

If your doctor thinks the condition may be due to an allergic reaction, allergy testing (patch testing) may be done.

Images

Skin layers

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Dyshidrotic eczema Treatment

Review Date: 10/03/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)