Dyshidrotic eczema, or dyshidrosis, is a skin condition in which blisters develop on the soles of your feet and/or the palms of your hands. The blisters are usually itchy and may be filled with fluid. Blisters normally last for about two to four weeks and may be related to seasonal allergies or stress. The exact cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown. Experts believe that the condition may be related to seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, so blisters may erupt more frequently during the spring allergy season. Doctors believe that you have a greater chance of developing the condition if you’re experiencing a high level of stress (either physical or emotional) or have allergies. Some doctors think that dyshidrotic eczema may be a type of allergic reaction. You may be more likely to develop dyshidrotic eczema if your hands or feet are often moist or in water, or if your work exposes you to metal salts, such as cobalt, chromium, and nickel. If you have dyshidrotic eczema, you’ll notice blisters forming on your fingers, toes, hands, or feet. The blisters may be more common on the edges of these areas and will probably be full of fluid. Sometimes, large blisters will form, which can be particularly painful. The blisters will usually be very itchy and may cause your skin to flake. Affected areas may become cracked or painful to the touch. The blisters may last up to three weeks before they begin to dry. As the blisters dry up, they’ll turn into skin cracks that may be painful. If you’ve been scratching the affected areas, you may also notice that your skin seems thicker or feels spongy. In many cases, your doctor will be able to diagnose dyshidrotic eczema by examining your skin carefully. Because the symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema can be similar to those of other skin conditions, your doctor may choose to run certain tests. The tests may include a skin biopsy, which involves removing a small patch of skin for lab testing. The biopsy can rule out other possible causes of your blisters, such as a fungal infection. If your doctor believes that your outbreak of dyshidrotic eczema is directly related to allergies, they may also order allergy skin testing. There are a number of ways that a dermatologist can treat dyshidrotic eczema. You can connect to a dermatologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool. The severity of your outbreak and other factors determine which treatments they will suggest. It also may be necessary to try more than one treatment before finding the right one for you. For mild outbreaks, medications include corticosteroid cream or ointment that you apply directly to your skin. For more severe outbreaks, you may be prescribed a topical steroid, steroid injection, or pill. Other medical treatments used are: UV light treatments, draining large blisters, antihistamines, Various anti-itch creams, immune-suppressing ointments, such as Protopic and Elidel (this is a rare treatment option). If your skin becomes infected, then you will also be prescribed antibiotics or other medications to treat the infection. Journal of Dermatitis is using Editorial Tracking System for quality in review process. Editorial Tracking is an online manuscript submission, review and tracking systems used by most of the best open access journals. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members of journal or outside experts; at least two independent reviewers approval followed by editor's approval is required for acceptance of any citable manuscript. Authors are requested to submit manuscripts online or send as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at manuscripts@longdom.org