Dyshidrotic eczema

Hello. I have suffered from dyshidrotic eczema for over 6 years. It was on my hands and constantly itching forming blisters and it was just terrible. However I was prescribed a steroid cream and it works great. However it seems like I have patches of eczema on my elbows and one under my arm. They itch very bad, get inflammed and weep and scab over. Is this also dyshidrotic eczema? Or another type of eczema or possibly psoriasis?
Thanks so much  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like eczema or it can be a fungal infection rather than psoriasis. Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin.

I suggest you to get it seen from a dermatologist because treatment is entirely different for eczema and fungal infections.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Jay1990]

Hi, just wondering what steroid cream you used for your pompholyx?  I've had mine for around 8 years now, it's pretty permanent.  It dries up and looks better, then the next day the little blisters are back.  I've tried Hydrocortisone, which always clears my eczema (which I have on my body and face) but that doesn't seem to work.  I read about a vinegar/water solution which seemed to burst the blisters leaving redness.  I've tried viral creams eg. Zovirax and also strong steroid creams intended for eczema such as Elecon which is a 9% hydrocortizone.  If you have any advice it would be appreciated too!  As for your rashes, it sounds like the itching has caused you to scratch, thus infecting your skin a little.  It happens to me a lot, a stronger steroid clears it.  If you're in the UK I recommend Lloyd's Pharmacy's own brand Hydrocortizone.  It works like a miracle cream for me, my eczema is virtually gone overnight, which doesn't happen with any other brands.  Good luck!

[hope86]

Hi,

You can't use steroid creams over a long period of time, they thin out your skin. I was unfortunate enough to experience pompholyx a few times in my life, one of those times it got so bad I wanted to wear gloves so people wouldn't see my horrid hands. 2 years ago, it was out of control. Blisters, scabbing, cracking skin, blisters....the cycle never stopped. Applying fresh aloe vera to the cracked skin helped but there is one miracle of a cream that kicked the eczema's a** and that's Body Shop's hemp hand cream. You have to try it.  As soon as I feel it coming on (which only happens when I travel to certain areas) I use the cream and that's that. It truly is a miracle and I've read other forums where people claim the same thing.

[kellystanley]

Thanks so much for the responses. hope86 are you talking about this cream? http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/prod5950023
maybe I will try it out. I have been using tea tree oil in the shower on my hands, it seems to be working. i havent had a break out in quiet a while, knock on wood. But i have gotten some rashes under my arms. No idea if they are also eczema ...

[hope86]

Yeah that's the one. Give it a try, go for the smallest tube they have. Hope it helps!
The rash under your arms...did you try switching deodarants? Could it be a tight shirt rubbing against your skin? Do you shave your underarms? I'm just trying to think of options. What I found online is...if your rash is scaly, it could be psoriasis but if it's just itchy and red it could be fungal. Underarms are the perfect breeding ground for fungus...I guess if you try a steroidal cream, some sort over the counter hydrocortisone, and if that won't work then it could be fungal.

[hotblack]

I'm a dishydrotic eczema suffere here, too - I've had it for years, and my outbreaks normally occur once every couple of months, ranging from irritating but manageable to full-blown and maddening.

Anyway, my own research has continued to indicate that fungal infections might be related to this condition. I've also suffered from athlete's foot and toenail fungus for years, and am curious about this group's experience. Do any of you suffer from any sort of fungal infection?

I've been treating my own toenail infections with nightly antibiotic (listerine) soakings for a few weeks, and believe it or not, my eczema has appeared to subside a bit. I'm very hopeful that when my fungal infection is completely cleared up, that will put an end to my eczema too! Only time will tell though.