Information from NationalEczema.orgThere is also a dyshidrosis subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dyshidrosis/

What is dyshidrotic eczema?

This common form of eczema causes small, intensely itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet. It is is twice as common in women as it is in men. Because of the association with seasonal allergies, the dyshidrotic eczema blisters are known to erupt more frequently during the spring allergy season. The blisters may last up to three weeks before they begin to dry and can sometimes be large and painful. As the blisters dry, they may turn into skin cracks or cause the skin to feel thick and spongy, especially if you’ve been scratching the area.

What causes dyshidrotic eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema usually appears in adults ages 20 through 40 but it can also affect children. People with contact dermatitis, or atopic dermatitis (yours truly) or hay fever, are at higher risk of developing dyshidrotic eczema. Dyshidrotic eczema seems to run in families, so if you have a close relative with this form of eczema, your chance of also developing it is increased. There are some common triggers for dyshidrotic eczema:

Stress
Pollen
Moist hands and feet from excessive sweating or prolonged contact with water
Nickel in everyday objects such as jewelry, keys, cell phones, eyeglass frames, stainless steel items, and metal buttons, snaps and zippers
Nickel in foods such as cocoa, chocolate, soybeans, oatmeal, nuts, almonds, fresh and dried legumes, and canned foods
Cobalt in everyday objects such as cobalt-blue colored dishware, paints and varnishes; certain medical equipment; jewelry; and in metal snaps, buttons and zippers
Cobalt in foods such as clams, fish, leafy green vegetables, liver, milk, nuts, oysters, and red meat
Chromium salts used in the manufacturing of cement, mortar, leather, paints and anticorrosives

Potential Causes

Per this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/eczema/comments/c1ogf9/finally_figured_out_why_my_dyshidrotic_eczema/Their trigger was SLS. Our Tom's toothpaste has SLS. Our Mrs. Meyer's handsoap has SLES, the Trader Joe's kitchen hand soap does not. Our body wash does not.

Contexts

🏷️#my_health