If you’ve noticed your hands or feet itching at this time of year, you’re not alone.
Many experience watery blisters and a scratchy feeling on their skin during springtime. These sores can spring up on the edges of fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet.
Dr Shayan, a cosmetic skin expert from New York, US, is known for making videos on social media about his medical knowledge. In his recent clip, which has gained more than 217,000 likes, he explained that the rash is known as dyshidrotic eczema.
It is not clear what causes it but it is thought to be related to stress, moist hands and feet, or allergies – which is why it’s prevalent during hay fever season.
The doctor explained: “This is not a skin infection. These are little bubbles. On the sides of the hands are the same process. People can also get it on the sides of their feet.
“This time of year, a lot of people are getting these little bubbles on the sides of their fingers or hands or feet that are really itchy, and a lot of them are worried whether this is a skin infection. But this condition is actually a form of eczema called dyshidrotic eczema.”
Thankfully, it’s often nothing to worry about and there’s a simple treatment that can help. The medical expert said: “Slathering the hands at night with a thick, occlusive ointment like these can be really helpful. It works even better if you lock in that moisture with white cotton gloves like these, or if you’re doing it on your feet with white cotton socks.
“Avoiding products that you might have a skin allergy to can also prevent some of these flares.” But if it doesn’t clear up, you should speak to your GP as you may need a steroid cream.”
TikTok users were thankful for the information – especially those who have been suffering recently.
One user said: “It’s so nice to finally know what is wrong with my hands. It is SO unbearably itchy.”
Another added: “I had this on my hands during the pandemic. Super itchy and hasn’t returned.”
And a third commented: “I thought it’s because of the heat, it happens to me every once or twice a year.”