What is dyshidrotic eczema, exactly?

“In the U.S., up to 20 percent of patients with hand eczema will have this specific type,” says New Jersey dermatologist Avnee Shah, M.D., of The Dermatology Group.

Wait, how do I know thats what I have?

Dyshidtrotic eczema looks a little different than your standard eczema rash, says Shah. You'll see firm, deep, fluid-filled bumps that have the consistency of tapioca pudding (welp, never eating that again), explains Shah.

These itchy suckers start off as small bumps on the edges of your hands and feet. But they can turn into larger blisters that rupture after a week or two and leave behind angry, red, scaly skin. So. Fun.

Unlike atopic dermatitis (the "classic" eczema rash most often associated with the condition), dyshidtrotic eczema only shows up on your hands and feet, not on your whole body, says Shah.

And this "rose" goes by many names, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

Cheiropompholyx
Dyshidrosis
Foot-and-hand eczema
Pedopompholyx
Pompholyx
Vesicular eczema
Vesicular palmoplantar eczema

What causes dyshidrotic eczema?

It's still not clear what specifically causes DE, although there are some risk factors that make some people more likely to get it. If you’re prone to itchy, irritated skin conditions (say you already have another type of eczema), you have a greater chance of having dyshidrotic eczema, says Shah. Or if you have a family member who has DE, you're more like to also have it.

Dyshidrotic eczema tends to happen more during spring allergy season since pollen can trigger it, according to the National Eczema Foundation, as well as from having excessively sweaty hands and feet.

According to the AAD , common triggers of this type of eczema also include:

Extreme stress
Warm, humid weather
Having wet hands regularly throughout the day (like if you're a hair stylist or a health worker that constantly washes hands)

Okay, what are dyshidrotic eczema treatment options?

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 (and itch) in silence. “The first line of treatment is high potency topical steroids-and 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 (big dyshidrosis energy).