Dyshidrotic dermatitis

Last reviewed: 23 Aug 2023
Last updated: 14 Aug 2019

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • skin lesions
  • pruritus
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • hyperhidrosis
  • recurrent eruptions
  • pain
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • exposure to irritants
  • atopy
  • metal allergy
  • hyperhidrosis
  • emotional stress
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • clinical diagnosis
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • skin biopsy
  • potassium hydroxide (KOH)
  • patch testing
  • scabies prep
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

ONGOING

all patients

Contributors

Authors

Andrea Bershow, MD

Assistant Professor

Dermatology

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis

MN

Disclosures

AB declares that she has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Andrea Bershow would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Erin M. Warshaw and Dr Sabra M. Lofgren, previous contributors to this topic. EMW and SML declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Gina Taylor, MD

Resident

Department of Dermatology

SUNY Downstate Medical Center

New York

NY

Disclosures

GT declares that she has no competing interests.

Laura Korb Ferris, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Dermatology

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh

PA

Disclosures

LKF declares that she has no competing interests.

Maria Tsoukas, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Section of Dermatology

Department of Medicine

University of Chicago

IL

Disclosures

MT declares that she has no competing interests.

Gerard Guillet, MD

Professor of Dermatology

Department of Dermatology and Allergology

University Hospital Poitiers

Poitiers

France

Disclosures

GG declares that he has no competing interests.

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