Dyshidrosis, also termed Dyshidrotic Eczema, Pompholyx and Dyshidrotic Dermatitis, is a skin condition that is characterized by small blisters on the hands or feet. It is an acute, chronic, or recurrent dermatosis of the fingers, palms, and soles, characterized by a sudden onset of many deep-seated pruritic, clear vesicles; later, scaling, fissures and lichenification occur. Recurrence is common and for many can be chronic. Incidence/Prevalence is said to be 20/100,000 in the USA, however, many cases of eczema are diagnosed as garden-variety atopic eczema without further investigation, so it is possible this figure is misleading.

This condition is not contagious to others, but due to its unsightly nature can cause significant distress in regards to social interactions with others.

The name comes from the word “dyshidrotic,” meaning “bad sweating,” which was once believed to be the cause. Sometimes called pompholyx (Greek for “bubble”) which is generally reserved for the cases with blisters; in some countries, pompholyx refers to hand dyshidrosis.

Small blisters with the following characteristics:

* Blisters are very small (1 mm or less in diameter). They appear on the tips and sides of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles.
* Blisters are opaque and deep-seated; they are either flush with the skin or slightly elevated and do not break easily. Eventually, small blisters come together and form large blisters.
* Blisters may itch, cause pain, or produce no symptoms at all. They worsen after contact with soap, water, or irritating substances.
* Scratching blisters breaks them, releasing the fluid inside, causing the skin to crust and eventually crack. This cracking is painful as well as unsightly and often takes weeks, or even months to heal. The skin is dry and scaly during this period.
* Fluid from the blisters is serum that accumulates between the irritated skin cells. It is not sweat as was previously thought.
* In some cases, as the blistering takes place in the palms or finger. Lymph node swelling may accompany the outbreak. This is characterised by tingling feeling in the forearm and bumps present in the arm pits.
* Nails on affected fingers, or toes, may take on a pitted appearance.

Next, we look at some of the causes of Dyshidrosis as well as its treatment.

If you have taken your young child before 8 years of age, bear in mind that test results are unreliable, to say the least. My son’s paediatrician does not advocate allergy testing for young children as according to him, a positive skin test is true for about only 20% of the time. Thus, positive skin tests are only a clue to a possible allergy and should not be taken as truth. Because the skin of those with eczema is so sensitive to irritation, just scratching can cause inflammation and making the likelihood of false positives even higher.

So think about this, since you have a greater chance than 80% of a false results, is it worth putting your child to the stress? Worse depriving your child the nutrients he needs from those foods which may not even be the allergens? So it is best to discuss with your doctor of what really needs to be tested for. Use the information your get from your doctor and use a bit of common sense to care for your child.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema where the oil glands of the skin are affected. In skin, there are two types of glands: sweat glands and oil glands. The sweat glands release sweat as a temperature regulator for the body, and also releases toxic waste. The oil glands, which open up into the hair follicles, produces an oily substance for moisturization of the skin and to keep the hair smooth and silky. The oil glands are also called sebaceous glands. Another derivative of that word is Seborrhea, which means “flow of oil”. Thus, when you hear the term Seborrheic dermatitis, you know that the oil glands; as opposed to the sweat glands, are directly involved.

The sub-classifications of these different types of eczema are for the purpose of identifying the eczema more specifically. Seborrheic dermatitis is still eczema. It still represents a toxic release. It still signals an overwhelmed immune system due to the toxic activity. The flareup is still being caused or promoted by the toxins overwhelming the system; and therefore, identification of the toxins promoting the flareup is necessary.

With seborrheic dermatitis, the oily substance that is normally released for moisture replenishment is consequently being released as a yellowish/pusslike substance. This type of release indicates the overactive immune activity, (as a result of battling germs or toxins), that’s taking place. When toxins or germs enter the body, the white blood cells go to battle against them. The pusslike substance is the consequence of such a battle. The fact that the oil glands of seborrheic dermatitis sufferers releases a yellowish or pusslike substance gives the indication that a battle, in that area, has taken place. It can also reveal candida overgrowth. In addition, the seborrheic dermatitis reaction also indicates the deficiencies that are evident; and therefore, are in need of replenishing.

Next, we look at what you can do to improve this condition.

Individuals with eczema (more correctly termed atopic dermatitis) are at special risk for developing extensive vaccinial lesions either through direct inoculation of the virus onto diseased skin or possibly viremic spread if they were recently vaccinated. This can sometimes lead to a fatal outcome. Atopic dermatitis implies both a skin abnormality and an immunologic difference, ill defined, in individuals subject to this disease.

If smallpox is not an immediate risk, vaccination should not be performed in persons with eczema or atopic dermatitis or in persons with household or close physical contacts with these conditions. In a recently vaccinated individual, dissemination of vaccinia virus to other parts of the body can occur from viremia or direct inoculation. Transfer of virus can also occur from contact with a recent vaccinee whose vaccine site lesion is in the florid stages of development. With early recognition and appropriate use of Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG), morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced.

Read more about this here. 

This may sound unbelieveable, but recent studies have shown that Endotoxin, a toxic substance released by a type of bacteria when it dies or damaged, may actually reduce the risk of allergies in toddlers if they are exposed to the bacteria up to age of 3. According to the studies, the lower the amount of endotoxin the child is exposed to, the higher the risk of getting eczema or wheezing by the age of 3. Higher levels of endotoxin are found in the houses which are more than 30 years old, substandard home conditions, carpeting, and leaking walls. You can find more information on this unusual study here: http://news.sawf.org/Health/37421.aspx