Article: Understanding Dyshidrotic Eczema: Causes and Relief

Jan 16, 2025

Understanding Dyshidrotic Eczema: Causes and Relief

Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx, is a specific type of eczema that causes small, itchy blisters, typically on the hands, fingers, and feet.

These flare-ups can be both frustrating and painful, impacting daily activities. Let’s explore the causes, triggers, and how you can remedy dyshidrotic eczema with practical solutions and supportive care.

What Is Dyshidrotic Eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema is characterized by the appearance of tiny, fluid-filled blisters that can feel itchy or even burn. These blisters often cluster on the sides of the fingers, palms, and soles of the feet. Over time, the skin may become dry, cracked, or scaly. It is a common cause of hand eczema and foot eczema in adults, which is often called acute palmoplantar eczema.

While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, several factors are known to contribute to dyshidrotic eczema, like stress, smoking, allergies (including nickel and cobalt), and environmental irritants.

Dyshidrotic Eczema and Stress

How Stress Triggers Flare-Ups

Stress is one of the most common triggers for dyshidrotic eczema. When your body is under stress, it releases hormones that can exacerbate inflammation and weaken the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to flare-ups.

Managing Stress for Eczema Relief

While skin supplements or eczema creams like Eczema Friend should be your go-to, Incorporating stress-reducing activities into your daily routine can help minimise flare-ups. Try:

Meditation or mindfulness to promote relaxation.
Regular exercise to boost endorphins and improve circulation.
Journaling to process emotions and reduce mental tension.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Dyshidrotic Eczema

Nutritional imbalances can also play a significant role in the development and severity of dyshidrotic eczema. Deficiencies in key vitamins, such as B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and Nicotinamide (vitamin B3), can weaken the skin barrier and hinder its ability to repair itself.

How to Address Nutritional Deficiencies

Skin Friend AM, a TGA-registered supplement, provides the essential nutrients needed to support skin repair and reduce inflammation. These vitamins can help remedy dyshidrotic eczema by:

Strengthen the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.
Improve the skin’s natural healing process for long-term relief.

How Can You Treat Dyshidrotic Eczema?

1. Repair The Skin Barrier

Hydration is key to managing eczema symptoms but did you know you can also repair the skin barrier with the right eczema cream? So use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser after washing your hands or bathing, such as Eczema Friend, because it is fragrance-free, and contains an active dose of dexpanthenol (provitamin B5) which is scientifically proven to treat eczema and repair the skin barrier.

2. Avoid Irritants

Harsh soaps, cleaning products, and allergens can worsen symptoms. Opt for gloves when handling chemicals and switch to mild, sulfate-free cleansers.

3. Use Eczema-Friendly Supplements

For long-term relief, use supplements like Skin Friend AM to help address both external symptoms and internal triggers.

The Role of Supplements in Eczema Relief

Skin Friend AM’s unique blend of nutrients is designed to target the root causes of eczema, providing relief and promoting long-term skin health.

It includes:

Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B5: Essential for skin repair.
Nicotinamide: Reduces inflammation and strengthens the skin barrier.
Zinc: Supports wound healing and prevents zinc deficiency signs such as alopecia (hair loss) and skin rashes.

How to Treat Dyshidrotic Eczema

Finding effective treatments can take time, but a combination of lifestyle changes, topical care, and nutritional support often yields the best results.

Find the Remedy for Dyshidrotic Eczema

Managing dyshidrotic stress eczema requires a holistic approach that addresses both internal and external triggers.

By incorporating supplements like Skin Friend AM into your routine, staying hydrated, repairing the skin barrier with Eczema Friend, and avoiding irritants, you can relieve eczema symptoms and improve your quality of life.

References

Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ. Dyshidrotic Eczema: A Common Cause of Palmar Dermatitis. Cureus. 2020 Oct 7;12(10):e10839. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10839. PMID: 33173645; PMCID: PMC7647841.

Loman L, Brands MJ, Massella Patsea AAL, Politiek K, Arents BWM, Schuttelaar MLA. Lifestyle factors and hand eczema: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Sep;87(3):211-232. doi: 10.1111/cod.14102. Epub 2022 Apr 2. PMID: 35277987; PMCID: PMC9541324.

Sanvictores T, Chauhan S. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) [Updated 2024 Feb 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563233/

Mahabadi N, Bhusal A, Banks SW. Riboflavin Deficiency. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470460/

Lin PH, Sermersheim M, Li H, Lee PHU, Steinberg SM, Ma J. Zinc in Wound Healing Modulation. Nutrients. 2017 Dec 24;10(1):16. doi: 10.3390/nu10010016. PMID: 29295546; PMCID: PMC5793244.

Lappas M, Permezel M. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of nicotinamide, a vitamin B(3) derivative, are elicited by FoxO3 in human gestational tissues: implications for preterm birth. J Nutr Biochem. 2011 Dec;22(12):1195-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2010.10.009. Epub 2011 Mar 16. PMID: 21414766.

Tanno O, Ota Y, Kitamura N, Katsube T, Inoue S. Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier. Br J Dermatol. 2000 Sep;143(3):524-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2000.03705.x. PMID: 10971324.

Ogawa, Y.; Kinoshita, M.; Shimada, S.; Kawamura, T. Zinc and Skin Disorders. Nutrients2018, 10, 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10020199

Written by Karen Fischer

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