Dyshidrotic eczema commonly causes small, itchy blisters. Treatment typically includes topical products and applying a cool compress.
Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as dyshidrosis or pompholyx, is a type of eczema that causes small blisters on the skin. It can result from exposure to allergens. These blisters usually occur on the feet, hands, or both.
Blisters are little fluid-filled bubbles that form on the skin. You might have had a friction blister if you’ve ever worn poorly fitting shoes that rubbed against your feet.
Keep reading to learn how to distinguish blisters dyshidrosis from friction blisters, how to treat them, and when to talk with a dermatologist.
Blisters are the primary symptom of dyshidrotic eczema.
In dyshidrotic eczema, small blisters may form in or on the:
- palms of your hands
- soles of your feet
- edges of your fingers and toes
Unlike friction blisters, which often cause mild irritation, eczema blisters may be intensely itchy, burn, or be very painful.
As the small cluster of blisters heal, the skin beneath them becomes inflamed and dries out. This, in turn, causes skin to crack or peel. Depending on your skin color, it may look red, brown, gray, or purple.
Eczema blisters often clear up on their own within a few weeks, but treatment may relieve symptoms and help the blisters clear up faster.
While experts don’t know the exact cause of dyshidrotic eczema, they suspect it may have something to do with hypersensitivity to potential allergens. This can include:
- metal like nickel or cobalt, whether from wearing jewelry or having a metal implant in the body, like a dental filling
- ingredients or fragrances in certain products, such as skin care products, soap, or laundry detergent
- intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, a treatment for immune deficiency
- some medications, especially aspirin or birth control pills
- tobacco products
- fungus, such as the kind that causes athlete’s foot
A doctor can perform skin patch testing to determine whether you may have certain allergies. Avoiding allergens may help prevent dyshidrotic eczema blisters from forming.
You may be more likely to develop dyshidrosis if you have another form of eczema. It is also more common in people with asthma, allergic sinusitis, and hay fever.
Other factors that can increase your risk include:
- work environments that put you in contact with certain substances, like cement or metals
- washing your hands often
- having wet or sweaty hands often
While dyshidrotic eczema blisters typically go away on their own, over-the-counter and prescription treatments may help them clear up faster and help manage your symptoms.
If you have eczema, managing eczema and reducing flare-ups may also help prevent dyshidrotic eczema blisters.
Home remedies and over-the-counter treatment
You may be able to help your blisters heal and prevent new ones from forming by taking care of your skin and using gentle skin care products. This can include:
- washing your skin daily with a gentle and fragrance-free cleanser
- applying a thick moisturizing cream with ceramides while your skin is still wet
- avoiding personal care products that contain fragrances
- wearing gloves when using household cleaners
- avoiding known allergens
If you have an active flare-up, you can try using mild topical corticosteroids, like hydrocortisone cream, on your skin. These products reduce inflammation. It’s best to allow them to absorb and then apply a moisturizer to protect your skin.
You can also try applying a cool compress to relieve pain and itching.
Medical treatment
If your blisters do not go away on their own or new blisters form, it may be best to talk with a doctor, such as a dermatologist. They can prescribe stronger treatments, such as:
- prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream
- calcineurin creams
- dupilimumab (Dupixent), an injection treatment for severe atopic dermatitis
- phototherapy
- topical treatments, including ruxolitinib (Opzelura), tapinarof (VTAMA), and roflumilast (Zoryve)
- injections, including tralokinumab-ldrm (Adbry), lebrikizumab-lbkz (Ebglyss), and nemolizumab-ilto (Nemluvio)
- oral janus kinase inhibitors (JAK inhibitors)
Sometimes, eczema blisters can get infected, especially if they open or pop. Your doctor can test your skin for bacteria and prescribe antibiotics to treat infections if they occur.
What is the fluid in eczema blisters?
The fluid in blisters, called serum, is normally in the spaces surrounding your cells. Serum helps deliver nutrients and other materials to your cells and removes wastes from them. But when there’s inflammation or an injury, it can form blisters.
The fluid contains:
- water
- glucose (sugar)
- sodium (salt)
- fatty acids
- hormones
- minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium
Is it OK to pop eczema blisters?
Though it might be tempting to pop the blisters, especially if they itch or hurt, try to resist the urge. Popping blisters can actually cause more pain and give bacteria a chance to get under your skin and cause an infection.
It’s also important not to scratch or pick at the blisters. You want to try to keep the area clean to keep bacteria out.
Plus, the serum gathered in the blister protects the skin from infection. Popping the blister would release the serum, removing that protection.
Depending on the size of your blisters and your discomfort level, you may ask a healthcare professional to drain your blisters. More often than not, though, dyshidrosis blisters tend to be very small and typically aren’t drainable.
What’s the fastest way to cure dyshidrosis?
A few treatments can help your blisters dry up faster, though there’s no specific way to cure them.
You can make yourself more comfortable by:
- applying cool compresses to your skin 2 to 4 times per day, for 15 minutes at a time
- applying corticosteroid cream to reduce inflammation and help the blisters clear
- taking an antihistamine after discussing it with your doctor
- using an anesthetic anti-itch medication such as pramoxine
Dyshidrosis blisters typically appear on the hands and feet. They are usually small, itchy, and may also be painful.
They usually result from exposure to an allergen. A dermatologist or an allergist may be able to run tests to determine specific triggers. Once you know what they are, avoiding triggers can help prevent flare-ups.
There’s no cure for eczema blisters, but treatment may help them go away faster. You may have symptom flare-ups that come and go over time.