References And Further Information
References:
Further information:
Skin Deep is a website that contains images of people with different skin tones to help patients and doctors better understand and describe symptoms of different skin conditions: .
The PDF document below shows what eczema can look like on different skin tones.
Skin Conditions That Cause Itchy Feet
Why You Have Itchy Feet and What to Do About It
Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology. He is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, and co-founder and practicing dermatologist at the Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Colorado.
It can be difficult to keep the skin on your feet healthy because they are often exposed to stress and temperature extremes. This can lead to a variety of conditions that cause dry, irritated skin prone to itchiness . It can also leave you vulnerable to fungal infections, which are even itchier.
Scratching may give temporary relief. Unfortunately, though, it can lead to a bacterial infectionwhich also causes itching.
This article looks at the most common causes of itchy feet and how you can relieve the itch.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
ArveBettum / Getty Images
Dry skin is often caused by a medical condition such as eczema. It can also be caused by:
Your feet don’t have any oil glands. The skin is thicker than on other parts of your body as well.
When you add prolonged pressure and friction from standing or walking, the skin can get especially thick and hard.
What to do about it: Regular use of creams or lotions may prevent skin cracking and relieve itchiness.
Winter Weather Brings The Cold
Winter, which is the coldest and driest season of the year across the globe, poses many additional challenges for people with eczema. Moving from extremely cold and windy winter conditions outside to the warm and heated indoor temperatures adds a ton of additional stress to our skin and for people with eczema, this can be enough to cause a flare-up.
In addition to the dry and cold weather, it is also common for people to develop a vitamin D deficiency during the winter due to less exposure to sunlight. While there is still more research needed to be done to prove the connection between vitamin D and eczema flare-ups, it is known that having low vitamin D levels has an impact on the overall health and function of our skin.
In a study conducted from August – October in 2019, it was found that 30% of participants from around the world reported that, in the past month, their eczema had resulted in a significant negative impact on their health and wellbeing.
Showing how detrimental this disease can be during more favourable weather conditions associated with the fall or spring seasons, additional stress from extra cold weather leads to increased flare-ups and worse symptom severity in the majority of people living with eczema.
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How Does Dyshidrotic Eczema Affect My Body
Dyshidrotic eczema affects the skin around the palms of your hands, fingers and soles of your feet.
Your skin may develop bumps or blisters that look like tapioca pearls. These blisters are typically one to two millimeters in diameter. The blisters may come together to form one large blister.
After your blisters have dried out, they may become scaly and cracked.
Lifestyle Tips For Hand Eczema
Find the cause.
Ask your doctor if they can do a âpatch testâ to learn what may be triggering your symptoms. They can also help you figure out if something in your day-to-day life, like at work, makes things worse and what you might do differently.
Cut back on handwashing.
Wash your hands only when they’re dirty or have germs, like after you use the bathroom. Each time you wash up, you rinse away some of the nourishing oils that your skin makes.
Also, be picky when you choose soaps because some have harsh chemicals. Look for products that donât use the word âsoapâ but instead say âmild cleansing barsâ or âlipid-free cleansers.â These are gentler on sensitive skin.
Before you suds up, take off your rings. They can trap irritants next to your skin. Rinse your hands with lukewarm water, pat them dry, and moisturize before you put rings back on.
Be sure to dry carefully between your fingers and under rings, where soap residue can linger and skin is more likely to dry or crack.
Stay dry.
You can also go waterless when washing your hands: Rub your usual cleanser between dry hands and blot it off with a soft towel.
Try to avoid hand sanitizers and waterless cleansers with irritating ingredients like alcohol or solvents.
Love the gloves — for a little while.
Wear disposable gloves when handling foods like citrus, tomatoes, onions, chilis, garlic, peppers, or meat.
Manage cracks on your hands.
Dial back the shower power.
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Keeping your body hydrated can help keep your skin hydrated. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. This will help moisturize your skin. Those eight glasses can include cups of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or your other favorite warm winter beverage.
Slice up lemons or other citrus fruits and add them to the water for a mild flavor.
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Blockage Of Sweat Glands
There are two types of sweat glands in the body that help with the sweating process. These are eccrine and apocrine glands. There are occasions when the opening of these ducts become occluded, especially in hot weather. This can lead to miliaria, a type of rash that commonly occurs on the back and can be itchy.
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What Causes Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis
Juvenile plantar dermatosis may be caused by:
- Repetitive frictional movements, as the foot moves up and down in a shoe
- The occlusive effect of covered footwear, especially synthetic shoes
- Excessive sweating , which when followed by rapid drying leads to cracking and fissuring
- Genetic sensitivity of the skin
- Climatic changes: with worsening during the summer months due to heat and sweating, and in colder months due to the wearing of winter boots. Hence there is no consistent seasonal variation.
Okay What Are Dyshidrotic Eczema Treatment Options
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme
The first thing you can try at home is a cool compress. Soak a clean washcloth in cool or ice water, wring it dry, and then apply it to itchy skin for several minutes, advises Shah. Immediately follow with a fragrance-free moisturizer or skin barrier repair cream like Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme. Repeat multiple times daily.
If things aren’t getting any better, you should def see your derm rather than suffer in silence. The first line of treatment is high potency topical steroidsand in severe or stubborn cases, we may also use oral steroids or immunosuppressive agents, says Shah. Another popular option is monitored and controlled use of ultraviolet light therapy to decrease underlying inflammation in skin.
And a more recent option has been Botox therapy, in which dilute toxin is injected into affected areas like the palms and fingers, and has resulted in a decrease in redness, itching, and overall rash, says Shah.
But good news: Although it’s certainly not pleasant, dyshidrotic eczema is not contagious, Shah says. That’s because it’s an inflammatory condition, which is not caused by an infection. Meaning there’s nothing to pass on to anyone else.
So the next time you find your hands itchy and bumpy, maybe bust out the eczema cream. It could simply be BDE .
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What Triggers Atopic Dermatitis
The exact cause of foot eczema from atopic dermatitis is unknown. It is thought to be caused by the immune system over-reacting to certain allergens or irritants, either inside or outside the body, which causes inflammation.
People with eczema find that their skin is unable to retain moisture so the skin becomes dry which increases the likelihood of reactions to certain triggers. There may be a lack of filaggrin in the skin, a protein that maintains a healthy, protective skin barrier which stops moisture from escaping and this makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter the skin. Studies have shown that nearly 50% of all cases of severe eczema have at least one mutated filaggrin gene.
Atopic dermatitis is also more likely if you suffer from hay fever and/or asthma. These three allergic conditions are collectively known as the atopic triad and often present together.
There is also a suspected genetic link with an increased chance of developing foot eczema and atopic dermatitis if you have family members with any of the atopic triad.
It is important to remember that atopic dermatitis is not contagious, you cant pass it on to anyone else.
Be Diligent About Managing Your Allergies
Eczema flare-ups are common when youre around allergens, whether they are dust, mites, mold, pollen, or something else. Make sure youre allergen-free all year-round, including in the summer.
If youre traveling, you may want to consider taking along your bedding and bath towels to help control allergies. You never know if youll be allergic to the detergent the hotel uses, for example. Your doctor may suggest an antihistamine as a preventive because you may encounter different types of allergens, such as pollen, while youre traveling.
To discuss your specific situation and to learn about additional measures you can take to fully enjoy the summer season, book an appointment online or call us at Doctors First PC.
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What Else Is Happening At Johns Hopkins Today
We go out of our way to provide the comprehensive care our patients with eczema need. On a case-by-case basis, we communicate with one another whether in allergy, dermatology, psychology or infectious disease to put together the best course of treatment for each child.We are optimistic that future therapies and approaches to care for those with even severe eczema are going to be greatly improved with more research and that the creation of the Eczema Day Treatment Unit will help us conduct cutting edge research and answer questions we face every day seeing and treating patients.
Bathe Or Shower Daily To Keep Skin Clean
Taking a bath or shower each day can help clear the skin of bacteria as well as sweat and dust that may have accumulated over the course of the day. A study published in Asia Pacific Allergy found that children with eczema saw their symptoms improve as a result of bathing daily plus moisturizing immediately afterward in the summer months. Always be sure to wash with a mild soap that doesnt include dyes or fragrance, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Pompholyx
Pompholyx usually starts as intense itching and burning of the skin on the hands and fingers. The palms and sides of the fingers then erupt into tiny itchy blisters that may weep fluid.
In severe cases, the blisters may be quite large and may spread to the backs of the hands, feet and limbs.
The skin can sometimes become infected. Signs of an infection can include the blisters becoming very painful and oozing pus or becoming covered in a golden crust.
The blisters will usually heal within a few weeks. The skin tends to become dry and crack or peel as it starts to heal.
How Long Pompholyx Lasts
In many cases, pompholyx will clear up on its own within a few weeks. The treatments below may help relieve your symptoms in the meantime.
Sometimes pompholyx may just occur once and never come back. But it often comes and goes over several months or years. Any of the triggers mentioned above can cause it to flare up again.
Occasionally, pompholyx can be more continuous and difficult to treat.
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How Do You Treat Atopic Dermatitis In The Summer
There is no cure for eczema. However, doctors can prescribe various medications to try and keep you comfortable during the summer and other times of the year when you experience eczema flares. Some of the medications used to treat eczema or atopic dermatitis include:
- Topical or oral anti-itch medications to control itching.
- Topical or systemic corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching.
- Antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-fungals if the eczema is associated with a skin infection.
- Medications that suppress the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help prevent eczema flares.
- Prescription-strength moisturizers that act as an effective barrier to protect the skin.
Patients with eczema often find the warm temperatures in the summer to be a particularly difficult time to manage their condition. However, with the appropriate treatment, you should be able to get relief from your symptoms and enjoy the summer without your eczema interfering.
References:
Rashes From Bites And Stings
Bites and stings usually cause pain and slight swelling, but they can cause a severe skin reaction in some people, particularly if they are allergic to stings. Sometimes the reaction is localised to swelling at the site of the bite or sting. This may be many centimetres wide but gradually goes away over a few days.
In some people the reaction to the bite or sting affects their whole body and can cause itchy skin anywhere on the body, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, and upper airway, a fast heart rate and low blood pressure.
A severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body is called anaphylaxis and is a medical emergency.
Read more about bites and stings.
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How Weather Affects Your Skin
Healthy skin acts as a barrier to protect you — the way a good coat of paint guards your house from the summer heat and winter snow.
But when you have eczema, that barrier just doesnât work as well. It leaks moisture, so your skin can get dried out and gets more irritated by heat, cold, humidity, wind, and more.
Weather also can affect your eczema indirectly. For example, a warm, windy day can blow pollen into the air and onto your skin. If youâre allergic, that means an itchy flare-up. The weather can change your own behavior as well. If youâre outside more in the warmer months and huddled under a blanket in the winter, youâll be exposed to different eczema triggers in different seasons.
The key is to notice the types of weather that stir up your eczema — and scratching.
Heat Rash Or Prickly Heat
Heat rash or prickly heat is a harmless but very itchy skin rash forming small red spots in places where sweat collects, such as the armpits, back, under the breasts, chest, neck, groin, crooks of elbows and knees, and the waist.
Heat rash is caused by a blockage and inflammation of sweat ducts in heat and high humidity, which causes:
- an irritating itch and prickling sensation
- redness and mild swelling of the affected area
Read more about how to cope in hot weather.
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Eczema Coping Tips Diet
In most cases, eczema isnt caused or made worse by diet. If you notice that your eczema seems to get worse after eating a particular food, you may be an exception to this. See your doctor or dietitian for proper allergy testing and dietary advice.Never self-diagnose or you risk depriving yourself of enjoyable and nutritious foods for no good reason. Unnecessarily avoiding certain foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Eczema Coping Tips Avoid Changes In Temperature
Abrupt temperature and humidity changes can sometimes irritate the skin for example, going in and out of air-conditioned buildings on hot days or heated buildings on cold days.Hard physical activity or exercise that makes you sweat heavily can also trigger the itch of eczema.Suggestions include:
- In winter, dont overheat your house. Dress warmly when going outdoors and remove the extra layers as soon as you return.
- In summer, dont over cool your house. Air conditioners can dry out the air and irritate your skin.
- Avoid hard physical activity in hot weather. For example, do your gardening first thing in the morning, or in the evening when the sun is lower in the sky.
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How To Manage Your Babys Eczema In The Summer Heat
If the hot weather during the summer doesnt agree with your baby, youre not alone. Summer can be a time of sun and fun, but it can also be a time of irritated skin for your eczema-prone baby.
Sweating is one specific factor that can trigger an eczema flare-up in the summer heat. When our bodies get too hot, they sweat. The sweat glands produce moisture which contains chemicals that sits on the skin.
For children with eczema, sweating dries out the skin through the loss of fluids, and the sodium found in sweat can further dehydrate their skin as well as irritate it. So when your baby sweats, it leaves their skin dry and itchy.
And of course your little one is going to start scratching if their skin becomes itchy, which leads to irritation and inflammation. Even a little bit of sweat can cause an eczema flare-up in your baby.
So, as you can see, the summer heat can do a number on your babys skin if not cared for properly. Follow our list of ways to manage your babys eczema in the summer heat so you and your little one can enjoy summertime!