Dyshidrotic eczema (DE), also known as pompholyx, is a form of eczema that causes small, insanely itchy fluid filled blisters. It typically affects the thicker areas of the skin such as the elbows, feet, and hands.
I first noticed some blisters forming on the bottom of my big toe. I was on my feet all day due to working in the emergency department, so I assumed I needed different shoes/socks. I thought nothing of it at first, but I quickly realized how wrong I was. I noticed the small blisters forming even when I was off from work. They would reappear despite popping them. I started researching and came across the term pompholyx. The pictures online looked exactly like what I had on my toe. I was still pretty calm at this point because the DE was just on bottom of my big toe, no big deal, no one will see it.
I evidently spoke way too soon because one night, I woke up feeling a bizarre burning sensation on my left pointer finger. I felt tiny bumps on the knuckle and my heart instantly sank. I had an overwhelming feeling of heaviness and worry. Mainly because I was well aware of how bad DE can be based off of pictures I viewed on the Internet. I quickly grabbed my phone and used the flashlight to see how many vesicles I had. If you put the flash down to your skin, the tiny vesicles light up like a Christmas tree and you can see the small pockets of serous fluid that are deeply imbedded in the skin.
My DE went from a few vesicles on my knuckle to quickly engulfing my entire pointer finger. The vesicles were forming on both of my palms with no end in sight. The mental aspect of having eczema is brutal. I wanted to limit my social interactions, I didn’t want to shake hands with anyone, and I was scared that people might think I have leprosy, which some did. I had immense sadness over what was happening to my body. I wasn’t sure of how bad it was going to get. It was clear that my body was trying to tell me that something is going on and I was not going to stop until I got some answers.
And the journey began.
The exact cause of DE is unknown but there are several different triggers. The best way for me to outline everything I tried is by listing it out so here we go:
I read that allergies can cause DE so I tested this by taking fexofenadine, an antihistamine. According to studies and research, if an allergen were causing your DE then fexofenadine or a comparable antihistamine would show a decrease in the vesicles. It did absolutely nothing for me.
I did blood tests for allergies (food and environmental), celiac, cortisol levels, heavy metals, and just general blood work. Everything turned out negative. My doctor then prescribed steroids. I will dedicate a different post for the effects steroids but long story short, they only mask the symptoms.
I have taken medications such a diflucan and nystatin, both antifungals, and dapsone which is used to treat leprosy. None of the medications helped.
I tried almost every moisturizer/ointment on the market. None of them helped and some even caused further irritation because they contained alcohol.
There’s something much deeper here. Medications don’t help, steroids only mask symptoms, allergies aren’t causing my DE, and a heavy metal detox didn’t help. So that led me down the path of diet. I will be the first to admit that I used to eat A LOT of sugar. I would eat about 6 popsicles in one sitting and I had absolutely zero self-control. I ate relatively healthy for the most part but I had a massive sweet tooth. So for most people, and for myself, stress and diet seem to be a major catalyst for DE.
This is where things get really hard.
There is no specific cure for DE or other forms of eczema and every individual is different. However, you can control the severity at which the eczema occurs by altering your diet. So what exactly did I do? I cut out ALL sugar, carbs, and dairy. Yes, all the good things in life. I started an elimination diet. Carbohydrates break down into sugar in the body. Consequently, I cut out rice, chips, noodles, and all other forms of carbs. I completely eliminated sugar, as well as natural sugar from fruits. I began to see changes in my DE about 3-4 months into the diet changes. During this crucial period, I consumed probiotics, raw coconut oil, and a variety of gut healthy foods. My diet mainly consisted of fish, eggs, vegetables, bone broth, and milk alternatives (almond/oat milk). Today, my DE is under control and I can enjoy the same foods I used to, just in moderation.
The diet alteration is no easy feat. The important thing to realize is, that it is not forever. Once the condition is under control, you can begin to slowly introduce carbs and sugar. The biggest takeaway here is learning how to consume things in moderation and being able to control flare ups. I still get a few vesicles every now and then if I have too much ice cream or any other sugar-laden treat. That’s my cue to slow it down and skip dessert the next day. In a way, my DE turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I live a much healthier lifestyle because of it. It has taught me patience, perseverance, self-compassion, and so much more. Millions of people suffer from skin conditions that take a massive toll on their mental health. I’m here to remind you that it is possible through self-discipline and dedication. And I’m here to help you through your journey. A little bit of understanding and compassion goes a long way.