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Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx)

February 2023

Author(s): Maitreyi Aria Jain (Medical Student) and Honorary Associate Professor Paul Jarrett (Dermatologist), Middlemore Hospital and Department of Medicine, The University of Auckland, New Zealand (2023)
Reviewing dermatologist: Dr Ian Coulson

Edited by the DermNet content department


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What is dyshidrotic eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is an itchy, chronic, recurrent, often symmetric eruption on the palms of hands, fingers, and soles of the feet. It is characterised by small, deep-seated, 1–2 mm fluid-filled vesicles on these sites, which resolve after several weeks with scaling

Debate exists around precise terminology and definitions but other names for this condition include pompholyx, acute and recurrent vesicular hand dermatitis, acute palmoplantar eczema, vesicular endogenous eczema, cheiropompholyx (affecting the hands), podopompholyx or pedopompholyx (affecting the feet), and cheiropodopompholyx. 

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Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?

The prevalence of dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is not known, but it is uncommon. Approximately 20% of patients assessed in a patch test clinic for hand dermatitis had dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx). Occurrence appears not to correlate with age or gender.

What causes dyshidrotic eczema?

The cause of dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is not known. 

It is not related to occlusion of sweat glands as was first thought when the disease was recognised over 100 years ago, but there are some factors associated with the disorder, including: 

What are the clinical features of dyshidrotic eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is a chronic, recurrent condition and appears as small, deep-seated, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) on the sides of the fingers, hands, and feet. 

  • The vesicles are small (1–2mm), often symmetrical, with no associated erythema, and they do not occur elsewhere on the body. Vesicles may coalesce into larger blisters.
  • It is extremely itchy.
  • The vesicles commonly resolve after 2–3 weeks with peeling.

Vesicles can also occur in other types of hand dermatitis.

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How do clinical features vary in differing types of skin?

Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is described as ‘tapioca-like’ in darker skin types, emphasising the greater colour contrast of the vesicles compared to less pigmented skin.

What are the complications of dyshidrotic eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) can lead to:

How is dyshidrotic eczema diagnosed? 

It is a clinical diagnosis as the history and clinical appearances are typical when other causes are excluded. 

What is the differential diagnosis for dyshidrotic eczema?

Differential diagnosis includes the following skin conditions:

What is the treatment for dyshidrotic eczema?

General measures

Specific measures

What is the outcome for dyshidrotic eczema?

The disorder can be chronic and cyclic. Short-term or long-term second-line treatment may be needed depending on the behaviour of the disease. However, for many the disorder settles in time and treatments can be withdrawn.

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Bibliography

  • Gladys TE, Maczuga S, Flamm A. Characterizing demographics and cost of care for dyshidrotic eczema. Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Feb;86(2):107-112. doi 10.1111/cod.14007. Journal
  • Liu C, Toy J. Severe Dyshidrotic Eczema in Skin of Color. J Cutan Med Surg. 2022;26(6):648. doi 10.1177/12034754221101542. Journal
  • Lofgren SM, Warshaw EM. Dyshidrosis: epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and therapy. Dermatitis. 2006 Dec;17(4):165–181. doi 10.2310/6620.2006.05021. Abstract
  • Magina S, Barros MA, Ferreira JA, Mesquita-Guimarães J. Atopy, nickel sensitivity, occupation, and clinical patterns in different types of hand dermatitis. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003 Jun;14(2):63–8. PMID 14749022 Journal
  • Masuda-Kuroki K, Murakami M, Kishibe M, Kobayashi S, Okubo Y, Yamamoto T, et al. Diagnostic histopathological features distinguishing palmoplantar pustulosis from pompholyx. J Dermatol. 2019 May;46(5):399-408. doi 10.1111/1346-8138.14850. Journal
  • Waldman RA, DeWane ME, Sloan B, Grant-Kels JM, Lu J. Dupilumab for the treatment of dyshidrotic eczema in 15 consecutive patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 May;82(5):1251–2. doi 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.12.053. Journal
  • Wollina U. Pompholyx: a review of clinical features, differential diagnosis, and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010;11(5):305–14. doi 10.2165/11533250-000000000-00000. Journal

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