Hand care for dyshidrotic eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that usually manifests as redness of the skin and small blisters. It has various causes and different symptoms, depending on which group it belongs to. One type is dyshidrotic dermatitis, an allergic inflammatory skin disease that is twice as common in women as in men.
Symptoms of dyshidrotic dermatitis
Dyshidrotic dermatitis is a blistering type of eczema, limited to the fingers, palms, and soles of the feet, which manifests as cracked, often red, scaly patches and blisters filled with clear fluid or pus, which may also itch and hurt a bit. The disease can develop and affect the nails, causing changes in their color, surface, and thickness, such as spots and small pits. If left untreated, there is a risk of bacterial infection and subsequent suppuration of the originally clear fluid in the blisters.
What causes dyshidrotic dermatitis?
We do not yet have a clear cause for this dermatitis (dyshidrotic eczema), but it is associated with contact dermatitis. This causes an inflammatory reaction of the skin when it comes into contact with allergens or irritants, which include various chemicals, metals, various cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, pollen, dust, mites, feathers, animal hair, bacteria, fungi, and certain foods.
The course of the disease can also be exacerbated by contact with water, irritants, or soap, as these reduce the natural acidity of our skin and remove the protective layer of fatty acids, allowing the allergen to "enter" the skin.
Treatment of dyshidrotic dermatitis
Pimples are the skin's reaction to an allergen it has encountered in the last 2-72 hours. It is therefore necessary to think about what could have irritated the skin and avoid that activity. The basic principle is to try to avoid the allergen that caused the symptoms of dermatitis. Therefore, look for the possible cause (what you touch, what you wash with, what you wash your clothes with, etc.).
In the initial stage of dyshidrosis, the skin is only irritated and the bumps under the skin are barely palpable. It is necessary to start using protective gloves, or if the dyshidrosis is dry and not yet cracked, do not use oily creams, but treat the skin with adequate moisturizing creams without perfume, ideally with a longer duration of action, such as the Dermaguard barrier cream available in our e-shop. Dermaguard barrier cream moisturizes and softens the skin and, above all, protects it from irritants. It is non-greasy and fragrance-free.
If dyshidrosis manifests itself as dry and cracked areas, or if it itches, we can try applying ointments containing salicylic acid, zinc, urea, tar, etc. For severe itching, we can use over-the-counter antihistamines available at pharmacies.
If there are fluid-filled blisters under the skin, use zinc cream from a pharmacy. The palms can be bathed in a strongly diluted solution of light pink hypermanganese or in a decoction of yarrow.
At this stage, dermatitis is treated by drying and disinfecting to prevent secondary infection. Do not use chamomile, as it is a strong allergen and weakened skin may react to it.
Be careful not to wash your hands too often, as this is not good for the skin. Soaps and cleansing pastes degrease the skin and alter its natural pH. Rubbing with a towel causes micro-tears in the weakened skin, and infection may develop in addition to dyshidrotic eczema.
At the stage when the pimples have not disappeared but have started to crack, the skin peels and weeping lesions form, we can try to soothe the skin with a black tea bath. After the bath, apply ichthyol black ointment from the pharmacy to the affected area. At this stage, it is best to see a dermatologist who can prescribe a corticosteroid ointment. There is no need to worry about corticosteroids.
Prevention is an essential part of life with hypersensitive skin. By using Dermaguard barrier cream, you can achieve significant improvement in skin condition and reduce the recurrence of skin problems.
