Pompholyx

[itchyhand]

Do you think this is pompholyx eczema? It goes through cycles each week (had it a few months now) where it comes out in tiny blisters under the skin then it kind of dries and flakes off. It is incredibly itchy, uncomfortable, and really unsightly.

I've spoken the the pharmacist a couple of weeks ago who recommended daktarin but said I'd have to go the the GP / Nurse for a prescription as my skin had broken. I actually had a tube at home so I've been using it but it's not improving it at all.

I have tried to get through to the GP today and a few times last week but I give up before getting through.

I've tried looking through the NHS website and nothing really looks the same but pompholyx is the closest.

Stress is definitely a major trigger for me too 😕

See the doctor as what they gave me cleared it up really fast.

I stopped using hand wash which was a trigger and went back to bars of soap.

Something has just occurred to me from a S&B thread - I had a bad pomph attack over the winter and I was using a Vit C serum for my face. Kept just rubbing the excess into my palms. It really helped to heal the eczema up sharpish! Took me a while to make the connection.

Thanks everyone for your replies

I phoned for an appointment this morning and then had a phone consult with the nurse who has given me an appointment this afternoon. I offered to just send pictures (as I have loads ) but she'd like to see it.

I'm actually quite stressed and tearful at the moment (bereavement, DD sickness, breakdown of marriage, busy job) so that might be making it worse.

Hope they are helpful this afternoon @itchyhand. My ds has pompholyx on his hands and it does look just like your photos. He was prescribed betamethasone ointment and Cetraben ointment.

Mine at the moment - flared up. Green washing up liquid like old school fairy liquid does it, but not the only thing. Anti histamine for itching if it wakes you up too much. Also another top tip when it's really itchy (you know what I mean) - put a cloth or big flannel in cold water, wring it out and then wrap it round your hand quite firmly. It alleviates the itch to go to sleep but rest your hand on a towel in bed if you want to avoid a damp patch

Eumovate will knock it on the head

I've been to see the nurse who prescribed Audavate, collected it from the pharmacy and it's now sinking in to my sore (but not infected ) hands.

I'm hoping it'll be quick to heal

The doctor who got rid of mine said you need to soak the hydrocortisone in, and she was right. Get the strongest hydrocortisone you can on prescription and then liberally apply it to affected areas overnight, wear gloves after application even, I use Betnovate. After that Ive not had it so bad since. Its definitely fungal in nature so fluconazole tablets can help and daktarin topically. Change of temperature aggravates it, as does nickel (tinned food) and tomatoes for me.

@itchyhand it must've been your tan after all 😁😁

I'm glad you've been seen.

@itchyhand has it started helping? Hopefully a few days will sort it out but you'll have to watch out for what sets it off.

This thread has made me appreciate how mild my bouts of this are! Never had foot involvement, and only have it maybe 2-3x a year, on the side of a single finger. 2 at most! Nothing like the pics on here! TBH- I never considered getting steroid creams of anything for it!

Hope you are some relief soon OP.

I have Pomphlox eczema on my hands @itchyhand and managed (pre covid) to see a consultant dermatologist - he prescribed Protopic ointment (tacrolimus cream)
It really really helps clear it up - there are side effects and you have to constantly manage your hands (gloves when washing as much as possible, lots of handcream, stay away from triggers - mine is tomatoes)

I also find during a bad attack running my hands under the hottest water I can stand kind of numbs the itch - I then rub in ointment and put cotton gloves on - weird but it works for me

I've suffered this for years, alongside contact dermatitis. It's been particularly bad from last year (HCP = hand washing and sanitizer)
to the point that I had to take time off and oral steroids to control the constant flare. My hands were swollen, red, infected and bloody sore.
I've used pretty much every ointment and lotion going including protopic.
I am very strict now with what I use, always wear gloves to clean and to prepare food. I only use what I know to be safe WRT hand washing. The 2 best performing ointments for me are dermovate and mometasone.
Ive got to stay on top of it now as if I flare badly again then I'll be put on methotrexate or similar and I really don't want that.
Stress is a big trigger for me as is MI, a well known irritant found in many household products. Allergy testing could help you eliminate certain triggers.

I can't hardly believe it's the same hand!

That's only after 3 applications of this betamethason valerate "audavate". I'm about to put my morning smear on now.

I will keep an eye on triggers and I know a PP said about preparing food irritates it too, gloves are my new best friend!

Seriously, if you use hand wash,stop!

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Seriously, if you use hand wash,stop!

I don't wish to sound grotty but I hardly use hand wash or sanitiser. Through the day I just rinse them under water. My DD did have worms once so maybe I am grotty I did a plastic-free bathroom switch a couple of years ago so use soap bars and solid shampoo for washing.

I'll definitely be more careful with chemicals and additives etc and use gloves for the (very occasional) washing up.

Get a Doctor Bronner Castilian soap for each sink and just use that. That's the only hand wash my hands like. My stepmom bought me some lovely Molton Brown last month and within two days of using it I was Pomplox Hands all over again.

@intothewoodss

Get a Doctor Bronner Castilian soap for each sink and just use that. That's the only hand wash my hands like. My stepmom bought me some lovely Molton Brown last month and within two days of using it I was Pomplox Hands all over again.

Oh that looks nice, I love the old fashioned styling, which do you recommend? Are the solid bars the same with different scents?

Dr Bronner is good stuff- and you can clean your floors with it too