Dyshidrosis relapse-- the dots are coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =(

Ohhhhh noooooooooo................! My dyshidrosis is coming back! I see signs of a new outbreak!! This would be my fourth outbreak of the year!! Observe! Look closely at the circled area! (Ignore the random line on top).

Right foot

Left foot

I found out because I noticed a slight itch on the side of my foot. I understand it's normal to get a slight itch here and there, but coming where I come from recently, I had to check. Lo and behold-- there were the terrifying dots. Probably because I stopped using the clobetasol cream. Those creams cannot be used forever! They're corticosteroids, they thin out the skin. Look at the skin on my feet! I don't think they can tolerate more abuse! I thought the injection would keep me clear for a long time.

My problem is that it seems I will ALWAYS have to use the cream. Those creams should NOT be used more than a few days. I used clobetasol for a little over a week, I just stopped a couple of days ago.

Over time these creams thin out the skin. Already my skin looks very thin and brittle. So if I'm not hurt from the dyshidrosis, I'm going to be hurt from the cream

You could BARELY see it, of course, but that's how it starts! And believe me, once it starts, it doesn't stop until it ruins the whole foot!!! Those of you who suffer with dyshidrosis know what I'm talking about.

At least there are no signs of relapse on my hands, though. At least not yet. I say "not yet" not because I am a pessimist, but because in this short history, I've noticed that when I get it on my feet, surely the hands follow. But no, nothing on my hands, no matter how closely I look under the lamp.

I have a follow-up visit with the dermatologist next week. Also, the county dermatologist finally responded to the referral, so I might be getting an appointment soon. However, I'm starting to lose hope. I foresee much of the same-- they'll look at my feet, they'll give me a corticosteroid cream to clear the symptoms (not the cause), they'll give me tips on how to stay clear-- tips that I am already practicing to no avail! And finally, they'll say that it's a mysterious disease with no cure. 

I don't know how much more abuse my feet can take. 

Thin, wrinkled skin as a result of extensive corticosteroid use. I'm not even 30 yet!

Clobetasol and steroid shot-- miracles for my dyshidrosis

I am amazed by the results on my feet and hands thanks to the steroid injection I got last week at the dermatologist, combined with the clobetasol cream I was prescribed. I did a bit of research on clobetasol, and apparently many others with the same condition speak wonders of it. My only concern now is how long will I be clear. After suffering with this for so many months, I am grateful for even a week of healthy, normal skin. I had almost forgotten what that looked like! However, the dermatologist and others say that dyshidrosis is a lifelong condition, so I am to expect another outbreak sooner or later. Hopefully later than soon! The derm said the effects of the steroid injection should last a few months at least. Also, I know I shouldn't be using the cream for a long time (corticosteorids never should). However, compared to the other corticosteroid that I was prescribed, which was betamethasone. Betamethasone leaves my skin drier than the Sahara. The clobetasol cream that the dermatologist prescribed for me is based on petroleum jelly and other moisturizers, and only has 0.05% of the active ingredient. It feels like I'm putting on soothing Vaseline. :)

My feet now. What a difference from a few days ago, as you can see from my other blog posts! Now I can actually wear flip flops without pain, air out my feet without overdrying them, and put on socks without leaving wet spots. What a weird thing it was, to be so wet, yet so dry! Now, I am quickly going back to normal and I am so grateful.

My First Dermatology Visit

After so many months of suffering with dyshidrosis, I finally got to see a dermatologist. The wait time was almost three hours, but it was worth it. When the dermatologist saw my hands and feet he confirmed that it is indeed dyshidrotic eczema. He was honest and said that there is no cure, but only preventive care. He advised me to use unscented soaps, to wear gloves when I do the dishes (which I already do), to not wash my hands all the time, etc. He said I shouldn't wash them more than once or twice a day. It's going to be awkward going to the restroom in public and have others give me weird looks for not washing my hands, after having been conditioned my entire life into doing so.

The dermatologist gave me a steroid injection, which he said should keep me clear for a few months at least. He was realistic and said that I will probably have this my whole life, with recurring outbreaks. However, he stressed that preventive care is important even during my clear months. After suffering with this for months, I'd be grateful for a few months of good skin health! He prescribed me a cream, clobetasol propionate, which is based on petroleum jelly and is therefore so much smoother than the clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream that the general county doctor had given me. He also prescribed antibiotics (azithromycin, 500mg) to take once a day for three days. I show no signs of infection, but he says it will assist the healing.

We'll see what happens!