What can cause skin dyshidrosis?

Skin dyshidrosis disease was described more than a hundred years ago, but the reasons for its development are still controversial among specialists. Some suggest its connection with blockage of the sweat glands, others tend to blame the body's allergic reaction. But skin dyshidrosis greatly impairs the quality of life of patients, because, in addition to anxiety from severe itching and burning of the skin, it significantly affects the appearance of a person, and therefore requires accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Symptoms, possible complications and methods of treatment of skin dyshidrosis read further on estet-portal.com.

Causes and provoking factors of skin dyshidrosis

Dyshidrosis of the skin is also called crowberry, dyshidrotic eczema or pompholyx (from the Greek term meaning "bad sweating"). Such names are probably associated with external manifestations of the disease – at first, the skin is affected by small transparent bubbles of a bright pink color, which itch and do not burst. Then the skin becomes rough, thickens and gradually begins to peel off, leaving in whole layers, so that outwardly it looks like it is extremely dry, completely devoid of moisture, notes estet-portal.com. The etiology of skin dyshidrosis has not been fully elucidated.

At one time it was believed that the disease develops due to blockage of the sweat glands, today experts believe that the bubbles on the skin – it is a manifestation of an allergic reaction, most likely to food, drugs or adverse environmental factors.

The development of dyshidrosis is also influenced by genetic predisposition, and stress is often a provoking factor.

Provoking factors of skin dyshidrosis:

• disruption of the endocrine glands that regulate the work of the sweat glands;
• reaction to antibiotics;
• action on the skin of repellents, detergents, kerosene, paints, varnishes;
• autoimmune diseases;
• increased nervous irritability and emotional instability;
• mental and physical fatigue;
• burnout syndrome;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• Neuroses and mental disorders.

Clinical manifestations and complications of skin dyshidrosis

Skin dyshidrosis usually affects the skin on the palms and fingers of the hand, less often on the back of the hands and on the feet. On the skin appear small, like a pinhead, dense bubbles with a pinkish liquid. The patient complains of severe itching, swollen and reddened skin, which then begins to flake off strongly. The disease is not contagious and is not transmitted with household items or handshakes.

In the case of infection, the liquid in the vesicles becomes yellowish, and they turn into pustules. The patient's condition worsens, fever may appear. The skin is very itchy, sore, looks red and swollen. Pustules can merge, forming an extensive focus of purulent inflammation. The severity of the disease depends on the size and number of bubbles.

Complications of skin dyshidrosis include panaritium (purulent inflammation on the finger in the nail area), lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessel, when a painful cord is felt under the skin).

It is necessary to differentiate skin dyshidrosis, first of all, from scarlet fever, in which similar skin peeling can occur.

Groups of drugs for the treatment of skin dyshidrosis

The main condition for the successful treatment of skin dyshidrosis  – identification of the initial cause of the disease and its correct elimination. First of all, the dermatologist sends the patient for examination and consultations with other specialists in order to avoid a diagnostic error in determining the causes of skin peeling.

Drug treatment for dyshidrosis includes sedatives, anti-allergic, diuretics, as well as drugs that affect the functioning of the parts of the nervous system that control functions of the sweat glands. The doctor prescribes dressings with various drugs: for example, when the vesicles are infected, antibacterial drugs and antiseptics are used. Treatment can be carried out at home, but always under the supervision of a specialist. A gluten-free diet is recommended.

Some patients manage to achieve a complete recovery. In other cases, skin dyshidrosis recurs some time after the completion of the course of treatment.