Dyshidrosis

Diagnosis

Your doctor can typically identify dyshidrosis through a physical examination. Dyshidrosis cannot be definitively diagnosed by a lab test, but your doctor may recommend tests to rule out other skin conditions that present with comparable symptoms.

For instance, the type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot can be determined using a scrape of your skin. By exposing patches of your skin to different substances, you can identify your skin’s allergies and sensitivities.

Treatment

Treatment options may include the following depending on the severity of your signs and symptoms:

• Corticosteroids. Creams and ointments with high corticosteroid concentrations may hasten the blisters’ healing. In order to increase absorption, wrap the treated area in plastic wrap. After applying a corticosteroid, moist compresses may also be used to improve the medication’s absorption.

Prednisone or other corticosteroid medications may be recommended by your doctor if the condition is severe. Steroid use over a long period of time may result in negative side effects.

• Phototherapy. In the event that previous treatments are unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest a unique form of light therapy that combines exposure to UV light with medications that help make your skin more susceptible to the effects of this type of light.
• Immune-suppressing ointments. People who desire to reduce their exposure to steroids may benefit from medications like tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. An increased chance of skin infections is one of these medications’ adverse effects.
• Botulinum toxin injections. Injections of botulinum toxin may be suggested by some medical professionals to treat severe dyshidrosis.