Dishydrotic Eczema

by Brenda Hostettler
(Glenmont, Ohio)

I have suffered with this since I was around 18 years old. It started out with a few itchy bubbles on my fingers and on the palms of my hands. Over time, I started getting them on my toes, the arches of my feet, the sides of my feet, and on patches on my arms and legs.

The more I itch it, the more it spreads.

I complained to my doctor about it for years, trying creams like Elidel and others...nothing worked. During flare ups, I had trouble sleeping because I was itching all night long.



One sure trigger that causes horrible flare ups is being in the sunlight. I can't vacation at the beach in the summer without getting huge itchy breakouts.

Last Saturday I got sunburned while being at a track meet, and the next day it started. My hands are really bad, but my feet are fine. I didn't get sun on my feet.



A few years ago, I went to see Dr. Helen Torok at Trillium Creek in Medina, Ohio and she prescribed Sulfasalazin 500 mg and it has worked great! It really helps with drying up the blisters.



My sister has the bubbles, but not nearly as bad as I get them. She just gets a few on her fingers and that's it. Now one of my daughters has started getting it (age 19-20). She is now taking Sulfasalazin as needed. It's not something you take every day. Just take it when you get a flare up, and take it until it's gone. If it comes back, start taking it again. I take 2 pills a day during flare ups, but when it starts drying up, I cut back to 1 pill a day.

Sometimes I will go for 6 months without any blisters or itching. This is usually during the cold months, although if I wear a heavy sweater in the winter and get hot and sweaty, I end up with a blistery rash on my arm. I avoid wearing sweaters because I get too hot and cause a flare. I hate this skin disease!

It definitely seems to be a heat related issue for me!



Besides taking Sulfasalazin, I soak the affected area in cold water and moisturize with unscented hand cream. I would definitely recommend asking your doctor to prescribe Sulfasalazin 500 mg and see if it helps you!