Eczema of all kinds represents a large group of skin diseases. They occur very frequently and can be observed in different subforms. What they all have in common is that they represent an inflammation of the skin that occurs without an infectious cause. On the foot, eczema can present itself with different symptoms depending on the cause. To clarify the cause, it can sometimes be advisable to consult a doctor.
Symptoms of eczema of the foot
In patients with dyshidrotic eczema, only the hand and/or foot on one or both sides is affected. A very characteristic blister formation is observed. The sequence of the skin reaction is always identical, regardless of the affected body part.
At first, the affected area of skin reddens, possibly itching is already severe. In the course of time, small blisters become visible, which burst at a certain point, then moisten (excess fluid is secreted across the skin barrier) and then become encrusted. Towards the end of the reaction, the skin becomes very dry and brittle.
If at this point the skin is no longer exposed to the trigger of the eczema, the skin can regenerate, it remains in this one sequence and is called an acute eczema reaction or the acute stage. However, if the trigger continues to exist or even irritates the skin permanently, the eczema will, in the worst case, become chronic and no longer heal. All manifestations of the acute stage can now occur simultaneously and break open repeatedly.
Typical, clear blisters on the skin surface are characteristic of dyshidrotic eczema of the feet. In most cases they appear on the sole of the foot. If these blisters burst after a certain time, tissue fluid emerges as a clear liquid.
Normally these blisters are very small. In some cases, they can still unite and then even grow to the size of a cherry stone. Itching is experienced by most people as a very agonizing feeling.
Eczema is often accompanied by itching or a burning sensation. This is especially the case when the skin is particularly dry. Eczema of the feet can also be accompanied by severe itching.
A strongly itching eczema, which mainly affects the feet, but also the hands, is the dishydrotic eczema, also called pompholyx. Typical are densely grouped blisters on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands, which contain a clear liquid. Contrary to what is often assumed, dishydrotic eczema of the feet is not a disease of the sweat glands.
The name of the eczema is historical and does not suggest the cause of the disease. Rather, the dishydrotic eczema is assigned to the sole of the foot of neurodermatitis. The highly itchy eczema is treated with cortisone for external and internal application, light therapy and care measures.
An eczema on the feet, which is accompanied by blisters, can have very different reasons. One possible cause of such eczema is herpes zoster, also known as shingles in colloquial language. Typically, the vesicles in herpes zoster are arranged in a kind of segment-like pattern, so that only a certain section of the outside of the foot is affected.
The blisters are closely grouped together and the skin under the blisters is red. Over time, the blisters burst open. Herpes zoster of the feet is accompanied by severe pain and has to be treated with special medication to combat the virus that causes it.
A commonly used medication is acyclovir. Synthetic tanning agents are used for external application. Another possible cause of eczema with blisters on the feet is dishydrotic eczema.
The inner surfaces of the hands and feet are often affected by the very itchy and painful blisters in dishydrotic eczema. The blisters are filled with a clear liquid. Dishydrotic eczema can occur in the context of neurodermatitis or have toxic and allergic causes.
Mild forms of dishydrotic eczema of the feet are treated with topical cortisone and light therapy. Very severe forms are treated with internal therapy with cortisone. Another possible cause of eczema with blisters on the feet is bullous pemphigoid, which is counted among the blistering skin diseases. Typical for the bullous pemphigoid are very bulging and resistant blisters on otherwise healthy skin. As a differential diagnosis to the bullous pemphigoid, diabetic eczema is also possible, which can also be accompanied by blistering of the feet.
All articles in this series:
