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Eczema & hand eczema

We treat hand eczema that keeps coming back, along with dyshidrotic eczema, which causes small blisters on the hands and feet.

Usual layers
Epidermis to dermis
Care
Covered by National Health Insurance (NHI) · no appointment, seen in check-in order
Condition
03 / 12

Today’s hoursDirections

Where it often appears

Select a dot to open a lens on the skin layers at that spot.Select a numbered dot or a place in the list to open a lens on the skin layers at that spot. It usually appears on the fingers, palms, and wrists. Dyshidrotic eczema also shows up on the sides of the fingers and the soles of the feet.
Dr. Do Eun-jae, Medical Director, tilting her head slightly as she looks at a skin cross-section model held in both hands
Dr. Do Eun-jae, Medical Director · focuses on atopic dermatitis and eczema, pigmentation disorders, and children’s skinFictional person made with AI

We start with a close look

Examination and tests

  1. The diagnosis comes from an examination of the skin.

  2. If the skin is scaling, we look at a scraping under the microscope to tell it apart from a fungal infection.

  3. If something you touch may be the cause, we explain patch testing after the examination. Small amounts of suspected substances are placed on your skin to see whether it reacts.

  • Topical medicationFor ointments and creams, we work out with you how much to apply, how often, and how to taper off.

What brings people in

  • My fingers crack and sting
  • Small, itchy blisters come up along the sides of my fingers
  • It gets worse after I wash the dishes
  • I get blisters on the soles of my feet too

Why it happens

  1. Frequent contact with water and detergent wears down the skin barrier on the hands.
  2. Blisters can flare with sweat, stress, or the change of seasons.
  3. An allergy to something like metal or rubber gloves can cause a rash that looks the same.

Usual layersEpidermis to dermis

Fluid and inflammation build up mainly in the epidermis. In dyshidrotic eczema, small blisters form on the hands and feet. Layer thicknesses in this model are adjusted for clarity. In real skin, the dermis is more than ten times thicker than the epidermis.

Treatment

  1. Reducing irritation

    Cut back on wet work and detergents, and switch to gloves and a gentle cleanser.

  2. Topical medication and moisturizer

    A steroid ointment calms the inflammation, and you apply hand moisturizer often.

  3. Oral medication

    For severe itching, we also prescribe oral medication.

  4. If it lasts

    If it continues for more than a few weeks, we consider phototherapy (ultraviolet light treatment) or other oral medication.

InsuranceExaminations, tests, medication, and phototherapy are covered by NHI.

Treatment is decided after the examination. How much it helps, and how quickly, varies from person to person.

What to do at home

  1. For wet work, wear rubber gloves over cotton gloves.

  2. After washing your hands, pat them dry and apply moisturizer right away.

  3. Avoid hot water, and take off rings before wet work.

  4. Do not pop blisters.

Come in soon if

  • The skin oozes or forms pus and turns red, swollen, and painful (this may be an infection)
  • After several weeks of topical medication, the rash looks the same or keeps spreading

During clinic hours, simply come in; no appointment is needed. Questions: +82-2-0123-4567

Common questions

Can I pass dyshidrotic eczema on to my family?

No. It is a skin reaction, not an infection, so there is no need for separate towels or belongings at home.

Can I just use hand cream?

When it is mild, moisturizing alone sometimes settles it. Cracking and oozing are signs of inflammation, and you may need medication as well.

Can I pop the blisters?

Popping them makes infection more likely. We treat large, uncomfortable blisters in the clinic with sterilized instruments.