dyshidrotic eczema

Hello
I have had eczema ever since I was a child but the last few years it has been more bothersome.  For years now it has been on the palms of my hands.  Sometimes its worse than others but it seems to pretty much always be there. I have been given many different cremes, lotions etc and nothing topically seems to work.  The only time it ever goes away is when I am on oral or iv steriods ( I have MS and sometimes treat flareups with steroids, altho, I absolutely hate doing the "roids" and havent taken any in over 2 years). Since I dont take steroids anymore for my MS my eczema, when it flares seems worse.  For instance, I get a blister or two on the palm of my hands.  The blisters dont hurt and are not fluid filled, (I dont think, because they dont pop or ooze...they are just raised then go away in a day or two...sometimes oral allergy pills help). The blister type thing has only happened twice...now and two years ago, I also noticed that the two times I have gotten the blister/bump I was also sneezing and had watery eyes so I was thinking that perhaps this was allergy related.
I guess my questions are...can anyone reccommend a topical creme that may help (Elidel sp? is pretty expensive and didnt seem to help that much anyway) and secondly....could this be contagious?  I work with kids so I worry about that?
Any suggestions would be helpful

[testconfusion]

I meant to put a question mark after dyshidrotic eczema...I dont know if thats what it is...doctors have always just said eczema...never specified a type..I am not sure what dyshidrotic eczema is

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

Dyshidrotic eczema is generally defined as an itchy rash limited to the hands (usually the palms and sides of the fingers) and sometimes the feet. Dyshidrotic eczema manifests as small, itchy, fluid-filled blisters. Its cause is unknown and may recur during warm weather.

To manage dyshidrotic eczema, your physician may recommend soaks with drying agents if many blisters are present, as well as the removal of irritating agents. Medium- and high-potency topical and oral steroids may be prescribed to be used twice daily.  Chronic, severe disease can be treated with a form of light therapy called PUVA  phototherapy administered by a dermatologist.

This condition is not contagious to others. The following may also help:  Domeboro helps alleviate itching in the short term, emollients,  petroleum jelly, zinc oxide ointment, salt soaks, nickel free diet and avoidance of known triggers. Discuss whih treatment option is best for you with your doctor.

Take care and keep us posted.