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Hand and foot rashes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


  • The most common etiologies of hand and foot rashes are irritant and dyshidrotic eczema
  • Hand and foot rashes look very different, thus a careful examination is required to make a differential
Diagnosis

Diagnosis

  • Possible dermatology referral

History and Symptoms

  • Chronic exposure to harmful chemicals or irritants
  • Family history (allergy / atopy, psoriasis)
  • Presence of small, clear blisters
  • Nail examination
  • Examine joints

Laboratory Findings

  • Culture of pustules
  • Scale scrap (KOH prep)
  • Fungal culture of nail

Other Diagnostic Studies

  • Patch test
  • Punch biopsy
Differential Diagnosis of Causes of Hand and foot rashes

Differential Diagnosis of Causes of Hand and foot rashes

Treatment

Treatment

  • Avoid wet-work, harsh soaps, offending agents (irritants)
  • Bland heavy emollients
  • Topical or systemic phototherapy with psoralen with ultraviolet A phototherapy (PUVA)
Pharmacotherapy

Pharmacotherapy

Acute Pharmacotherapies

References

References

  1. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X
Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

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Suggested Reading and Key General References

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