Recurring pompholyx on foot driving me mad!

[IHaveHadHOWManyUsernames]

I have suffered from recurring pompholyx (a type of eczema) on my right foot for the last two years. Flare ups consist of extremely itchy blisters around the toes. The itchiness is excruciating - I know it's not helpful but I can't help scratching, often until it bleeds. Actually the pain is a relief from the itch.

My GP prescribed me a steroid cream, which worked for awhile but now doesn't really do anything at all. I also sometimes use a anti-histamine cream which is much better and also hydrocortisone cream.

Does or has anyone else experienced this and have they managed to find a cure? What I've read about it is that it can sometimes be a symptom of a poor immune system, but tbh my health (touch wood) is pretty good, I eat pretty healthily etc.

It literally drives me mad. Not to mention that it has made the skin around my foot really ugly. Has made me more self conscious in the summer, wearing sandals etc.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

[Charleymouse]

Sorry in the same boat. Ongoing for 9 years, made my right foot look awful and toenail in particular looks awful. GP now thinks may be fungal but it has the classic pompholyx minute blisters which are incredibly itchy.
Hope you get some relief.

[AppleMagic]

I had this for a few years on the tops of my feet and it went away by itself (not very helpful, sorry). Still have scarring though from scratching it so much.

I also had pompholyx blisters on my hands from using baby wipes. I switched to water wipes and it disappeared overnight it was a form of contact dermatitis (probably from the preservatives in the wipes).

I've also been diagnosed with a cobalt allergy (similar to nickel allergy) and I've read that having to much cobalt in your diet can cause pompholyx (and more systemic eczema which I also suffer from) too in some people but because I already have other dietary restrictions I've not tried excluding it yet. It's found in a lot of typically healthy foods.

Hope that gives some ideas. I dread the little blistery fuckers coming back.

[sadie9]

Have you tried going to a well recommended chiropodist, they might have some ideas.

[SloanePeterson]

I have this on my hands. It got in a terrible state a few years ago. It's definitely worse when I'm stressed. I have fucibet cream prescribed which does help but when it flares up it really stresses me out which makes the whole thing worse, a true vicious circle. My doctor doesn't really take it seriously as it does just look like a few spots but the urge to scratch is ridiculous. You have my full sympathy.

[redannie118]

I have a auto immune disease and get this. It drives me utterly insane, steroid cream does nothing so may try the anti histamine cream. Watching thread with interest

[ihearttc]

Oh wow...I have had a patch of something on my foot for months and GP didn't know what it was. Its all little tiny blisters that itch constantly. I also have RA and pernicious anaemia (both auto immune conditions).

Ive just googled it and it looks exactly what mine looks like.

[Loulou2kent]

No cure here either! But watching with interest. Mine definitely flares when stressed too! You have my sympathy. I've scratched my hands raw & the only relief is when I wash them in cold water, although the soap really bloody stings!

[Bogburglar75]

DH had this many many years ago - it turned out to be a latex allergy and got loads better when he changed the brand of shoes he wore. Still has eczema on and off In afraid but the pompholyx is much better.

[kittybiscuits]

I had this regularly for years and now just have the occasional breakout when the weather's hot. I found neat tea tree oil every day helped massively. A few drops of neat oil rubbed in. In fact reading this made me realise I haven't had any on my hands for almost 2 years. I used to have it all the time.

[kittybiscuits]

I buy good quality Australian tea tree oil BTW.

[Helenluvsrob]

Yep. I'm poking all the blisters with a needle and sometimes giving it a whack of steroid cream but it's horrible. Like walking on marbles at times and so itchy !

[ivykaty44]

I suffer from this, it's worse I find in the heat. I also have an auto immune disease, though Not sure if they are conNected.

I were open shoes and cream my feet up each night with masses of cream ( similar to e45,) aNd just put a tiny bit of steroid cream, hardly use it.

I don't wear shoes and socks as this really seems to make it worse.

I suffer more when hot or stressed

The itChung is like nothing else. If really bad take antihistamine tablets

[PitchFork]

I have it on my hands.
what helps me is 'double creaming'
I put on a layer of thin moisturiser and let it sink in, then I put thicker barrier type cream on (mostly nivea blue pot)

[jobrum]

I think this must be what I have! I thought it was psoriasis which I have had in the past. Its mostly on a couple of fingers down the sides and really flares up if I've got sweaty in the night. It looks like teeny little blisters and if I leave them they go thick and dry, if I scratch them they weep and if I slather moisteriser (amd dds hydrocortisone) they slowly get better. The skin after is dry and wrinkled and thick. But the patches can heal within a week.

I should probably mention it to my doctor...

[donajimena]

I'm suffering quite badly ATM. I haven't found a cure. I just let the areas run their course. This current outbreak lasted three weeks. I do enjoy lancing the blisters though!