Dyshidrotic eczema dermatitis herpetiformis stress bumps on fingers

If you’ve found your way to this story, there’s a good chance you’re feeling the itch. Dyshidrotic Eczema is a common form of eczema that can crop up as crazy itchy blisters on the sides of fingers, on hands, and on your feet in places like your toes and soles.

“In the U.S., up to 20 percent of patients with hand eczema will have this specific type,” says New Jersey dermatologist Avnee Shah, M.D., of The Dermatology Group.

Wait, how do I know that's what I have?

Dyshidtrotic eczema looks a little different than your standard eczema rash, says Shah. You'll see firm, deep, fluid-filled bumps that have the consistency of tapioca pudding (welp, never eating that again), explains Shah.

Dyshidrotic eczema dermatitis herpetiformis stress bumps on fingers

Close-up of a hand with tiny eczema blisters. See the bumps?

Daniel Bruno//Getty Images

These itchy suckers start off as small bumps on the edges of your hands and feet. But they can turn into larger blisters that rupture after a week or two and leave behind angry, red, scaly skin. So. Fun.

Unlike atopic dermatitis (the "classic" eczema rash most often associated with the condition), dyshidtrotic eczema only shows up on your hands and feet, not on your whole body, says Shah.

And this "rose" goes by many names, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

  • Cheiropompholyx
  • Dyshidrosis
  • Foot-and-hand eczema
  • Pedopompholyx
  • Pompholyx
  • Vesicular eczema
  • Vesicular palmoplantar eczema

What causes dyshidrotic eczema?

It's still not clear what specifically causes DE, although there are some risk factors that make some people more likely to get it. If you’re prone to itchy, irritated skin conditions (say you already have another type of eczema), you have a greater chance of having dyshidrotic eczema, says Shah. Or if you have a family member who has DE, you're more like to also have it.

Dyshidrotic eczema tends to happen more during spring allergy season since pollen can trigger it, according to the National Eczema Foundation, as well as from having excessively sweaty hands and feet.

According to the AAD , common triggers of this type of eczema also include:

  • Extreme stress
  • Warm, humid weather
  • Having wet hands regularly throughout the day (like if you're a hair stylist or a health worker that constantly washes hands)

Okay, what are dyshidrotic eczema treatment options?

Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme

Dyshidrotic eczema dermatitis herpetiformis stress bumps on fingers

Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme

Credit: Eucerin

The first thing you can try at home is a cool compress. Soak a clean washcloth in cool or ice water, wring it dry, and then apply it to itchy skin for several minutes, advises Shah. Immediately follow with a fragrance-free moisturizer or skin barrier repair cream like Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme. Repeat multiple times daily.

If things aren't getting any better, you should def see your derm rather than suffer (and itch) in silence. “The first line of treatment is high potency topical steroids—and in severe or stubborn cases, we may also use oral steroids or immunosuppressive agents,” says Shah. Another popular option is monitored and controlled use of ultraviolet light therapy to decrease underlying inflammation in skin.

And a more recent option has been Botox therapy, in which dilute toxin is injected into affected areas like the palms and fingers, and has resulted in a decrease in redness, itching, and overall rash, says Shah.

But good news: Although it's certainly not pleasant, dyshidrotic eczema is not contagious, Shah says. That's because it's an inflammatory condition, which is not caused by an infection. Meaning there's nothing to pass on to anyone else.

So the next time you find your hands itchy and bumpy, maybe bust out the eczema cream. It could simply be BDE (big dyshidrosis energy).

Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as dyshidrosis or pompholyx, is a skin condition in which blisters develop on the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands and fingers.

The blisters can appear as tiny bumps on fingers or can grow together and cover larger areas on the hands and feet. These blisters are usually very itchy and may be filled with fluid. Blisters normally last for about 3 to 4 weeks and may be triggered by a variety of issues like an allergy, genetics, or stress.

The exact cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown. Previously, it was thought to be an issue with an individual’s sweat ducts, but that was proven false.

People living with dyshidrotic eczema most likely have hypersensitivity to something like:

  • metal, particularly cobalt or nickel
  • a specific ingredient in a personal care product like soap or moisturizer
  • medication, especially birth control or aspirin
  • smoking (tobacco)
  • a skin infection like Athlete’s foot
  • an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion

Stress can be another trigger for dyshidrotic eczema, as can changes in the weather. Some people experience flares when it’s hot and humid out (and UVA rays are strong), while others experience flares when the temperature drops and gets cold.

There are a variety of factors that may dictate who develops dyshidrotic eczema.

If you are going to develop it, it’ll most likely begin between 20 and 40 years of age. Genetics may also play a role in dyshidrotic eczema. If you have one or more blood relatives with it, there’s a higher chance you could also have it.

A few other factors that may contribute to its development are:

  • you’re already living with another type of eczema
  • you’ve worked, or currently work, as a mechanic or metalworker (because of the contact to certain metals like nickel)
  • you have a history of working with cement (which can contain both cobalt and nickel)
  • you already deal with seasonal allergies
  • you’re living with asthma
  • you have occasional bouts of allergic sinusitis

Dyshidrotic eczema in children

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is more common in children and infants than in adults. About 10 to 20 percent have some form of eczema. But many will outgrow atopic dermatitis or eczema by adulthood.

Conversely, dyshidrotic eczema can also affect children, but it’s rare.

The first symptoms of a dyshidrotic eczema flare may be a burning, itching sensation without any visual clues.

Tiny, itchy blisters might then develop, most likely on your:

  • palms
  • sides of fingers
  • feet

In severe cases, the blisters can expand to the back of hands, limbs, and feet.

These tiny blisters can grow together and form larger areas that are very itchy, red, and raised. If the skin becomes infected, the blisters can become painful and ooze pus.

Typically, dyshidrotic eczema heals on its own in 3 to 4 weeks, but as the blisters heal, they can cause your skin to become very dry and peel. Individuals with a darker skin tone may develop dark spots where the blisters have healed.

If you’ve been dealing with red, itchy skin for more than a week, it’s a good idea to seek out your doctor or dermatologist, because many skin conditions can cause blisters.

During your visit, your doctor will most likely take a look at your skin and ask you if you’ve noticed a pattern around your blisters — like if you’ve started using different products or have felt particularly stressed — and if your jobs or hobbies include coming into contact with metals.

If your doctor believes your dyshidrotic eczema could be due to an allergy, they may do an allergy test.

If your case is severe or if the symptoms have been long-lasting, you may be prescribed medication.

The severity of your outbreak and other personal health factors determine which treatments your doctor might suggest. It also may be necessary to try more than one treatment before finding one that works.

Treatments for mild outbreaks

Pimecrolimus cream, tacrolimus ointment, or Eucrisa, are typically used to treat atopic dermatitis. But they have also been shown to be effective for dyshidrotic eczema.

For mild flare-ups, your doctor may recommend:

  • a moisturizer that’s very emollient to help relieve the dryness
  • a prescription corticosteroid that helps heal the blisters and reduces inflammation
  • anti-itch medication in the form of a pill or cream

Treatments for more severe outbreaks

More severe outbreaks might require possible treatments like:

  • antifungal medications, if the eczema seems tied to a fungal infection
  • steroid tablets or creams
  • immunosuppressant creams or ointments
  • UV light therapy
  • dupixent
  • methotrexate
  • cyclosporine
  • Cellcept
  • botulinum toxin injections (botox) if the dyshidrotic eczema seems to be triggered by extreme sweating

While home remedies may not be as effective as a doctor-recommended medication, they can help ease symptoms.

You can start with cold compresses, soothing the area every 15 minutes. You can also soak the affected areas for 15 minutes — your doctor may know some good inflammation-lowering medicated soaks.

Find ways to relieve stress. Since dyshidrotic eczema can be triggered by stress, using techniques like meditation can help provide a dose of calm for your mind and body.

If your hands are affected, make sure to remove rings and jewelry whenever you wash your hands so water doesn’t linger on your skin. If you notice that a certain personal care product like a new bar of soap seems to have been the cause of your blisters, stop using it for a few weeks and see if the inflammation and itching die down.

Keep the affected area well moisturized at all times. Try to maintain your fingernails so they’re short enough to not break the skin if/when you scratch. This can help you avoid infection.

Diet changes

Nickel and cobalt are natural elements that can be found in a lot of foods, like:

  • cobalt
    • brazil nuts
    • flaxseeds
    • chickpeas
  • nickel
    • cereals
    • tea
    • dried fruit

If your doctor suspects your dyshidrotic eczema flares are caused by a nickel or cobalt allergy, they may recommend a low cobalt/nickel diet.

The most likely way your dermatologist will recommend you follow this specialized diet is through a point system. The higher the amount of nickel or cobalt, the higher the points value for that food or beverage. You’ll be instructed to count your points.

But because there are many healthy foods that include these natural elements, you should not try to do this points-based diet on your own.

The main complication of dyshidrotic eczema is usually the discomfort from itching and the pain from the blisters.

This discomfort can sometimes become so severe during a flare that you’re limited in how much you use your hands, or even walk. There’s also the possibility of getting an infection in these areas from over-scratching.

In addition, your sleep may be disrupted if the itching or pain is severe.

Because the causes are unknown and the triggers are so personal, there’s no one way to completely prevent or control outbreaks of dyshidrotic eczema.

But you can keep your symptoms from barreling out of control by understanding your specific triggers, strengthening your skin by applying moisturizer daily, keeping your stress in check (when possible), and staying hydrated.

Typically, flares of dyshidrotic eczema will disappear in a few weeks without complications. If you do your best to avoid scratching the affected skin, it may not leave any noticeable marks or scars.

If you scratch the affected area, you may experience more discomfort, or your outbreak may take longer to heal. You could also develop a bacterial infection as a result of scratching and breaking your blisters.

Although your outbreak of dyshidrotic eczema may heal completely, it can also recur. Working with your dermatologist to come up with a personalized treatment plan — whether it’s short- or long-term — is the best way to keep this skin condition from disturbing your daily life.

Can you get dermatitis herpetiformis on fingers?

This picture shows the fingers of a person with a chronic inflammatory disease known as dermatitis herpetiformis. It produces red, raised (papular), small or large blisters (vesicles or bullae) that burn and itch intensely.

Can you get dyshidrotic eczema from stress?

Stress or weather can trigger dyshidrotic eczema. Some people find that dyshidrotic eczema flares only at certain times. You may develop dyshidrotic eczema only when you feel stressed out. Many people say the blisters appear when stress hits and continue to appear until their stress lessens.

How do you get rid of stress bumps on fingers?

Treatment for dyshidrosis most often includes creams or ointments that you rub on the affected skin. In severe cases, your doctor may suggest corticosteroid pills, such as prednisone, or injections. Dyshidrosis is also called dyshidrotic eczema and pompholyx.

What causes stress bumps on fingers?

Dyshidrotic eczema is a common skin condition that causes blisters and itchy skin. Healthcare providers aren't sure what causes dyshidrotic eczema. Triggers may include allergies, stress and frequently moist or sweaty hands and feet. Effective treatments include at-home treatments, therapies and prescription medicines.