Is this pompholyx?

[BrimfulOfBaba]

Hopefully attaching some photos!

Unbearably itchy/sore/burning bumps mainly on my fingers (especially on the sides) and all over my palms (though those aren't as itchy). It sounds silly but I really feel so itchy it's driving me mad! Developing similar bumps on my feet now too.

Have looked at past threads on pompholyx and wanted to see if that's definitely what this is - I can't get through to my GP. Started with two blisters yesterday which spread. No itch before they appeared.

I've also had some cold sores erupt under and inside my nose for the first time ever so wasn't sure if they were related.

Smearing on hydrocortisone but its not touching the unbearable burning itch!

Also I've described them as blisters but actually they don't look or feel like blisters- I'd call them bumps

Looks like it to me. I’ve never been able to treat just wait for it to go. Changes of seasons usually cause a flare up

That looks exactly like when mine flares up.

Sorry to hear that @Ridingthegravytrain, dreading that this might not be a one off as I'm a wimp for this sort of pain.

@happysunr1se how long does it usually last for you? Is there anything that helps you deal with it?

I'd say so. I had vicious pompholyx all over both hands this year, it took 3 different creams from the GP before it even started easing - one cream made it even worse!

Ahh @BeautyGoesToBenidorm what a nightmare! How long did the itching phase last! Looking at previous threads it looks like this is followed by a popping and scabbing stage which honestly I would rather have in a heartbeat right now!

This! I've had this for ages and the cream the dr has given me isn't working. The bumpy dots, it's soooo itchy especially at night.

What treatments are availiable? I have fucidin cream as they said it was a staph infection.

How long have you had it @nodogz? If its been a while your doc should prescribe you a stronger steroid cream!

So far steroid cream looks the only option :( I have been holding various cold things which keeps the itch at bay...for a bit!

Hearing it f lots of cases of hand, foot and mouth virus. What are your feet like? Are you otherwise well?

I'd say so, it looks very like my pompholyx when it flares up.

It looks just like mine does. I find ice packs help in the short term.

@BrimfulOfBaba, it's only just started settling after nearly 3 months 😬 I don't have blisters/bumps anymore, but my skin is still very much healing. It was also thinned by one of the steroid creams I was prescribed.

The itching can still be hellish at night, especially if it's too warm! I do feel for you, it's horrible!

You can now buy stronger steroids without prescription.
I bought eumovate last week in boots

@BrimfulOfBaba I've had it off and on, on one foot since 2018, its bloody itchy and annoying!

Yes. I've had it on and off on my hand since 2009. I no longer use steroid cream and I wouldn't recommend it as they do thin the skin but the itching is awful...my advice would be use steroid cream very sparingly.

The thing I find that helps the most is extremely moisturing cream (high in urea) like Hydromol Intensive. Its greasy as hell but doesn't sting. I slather it on then put my hands in cotton gloves. Repeat every 15 mins.

I find the burning stage lasts about 2 days but then it starts to crust which in itself can be itchy, especially if you have started to itch already. It dries the skin so much so you need to constantly moisturise during this stage to help heal it.

I once put Flexitol foot cream on as I was out of anything else, it has very high urea. Stung like hell (do not do it!) but my hands were very soft and calmer the next day!

Mine started like that - only had it for the first year on my hands though.

That same year it started on the soles of my feet, it comes on in April and usually goes by Nov. I've had it really badly in the past but it decided to give me a year off this year! 1st time in 10 years.

Dermovate is the only steroid cream I use these days, tried all the others but they're not strong enough.

Hydrocortisone is no good to you, it's too weak. Get a much stronger steroid cream on it ASAP

Oh I think I get that. Are the bumps hard? I tend to squash them with my teeth and they squirt

Not had it on my feet though. I thought it was some sort of dermatitis. I usually just get it up the sides of my fingers, especially my forefinger and mostly round the sides of the knuckle. Usually in small clusters.

I just googled some more images and looks just like my hands do.

@CatherineCawood

Oh I think I get that. Are the bumps hard? I tend to squash them with my teeth and they squirt

Not had it on my feet though. I thought it was some sort of dermatitis. I usually just get it up the sides of my fingers, especially my forefinger and mostly round the sides of the knuckle. Usually in small clusters.

Same! Although I'm lucky that mine are usually one or two bumps, rather than a cluster. The intense itching only stops when I burst them; usually by scratching or with my teeth, I know that's probably the worst idea but can't stand it!

I pop the bumps. The relief is incredible.

But also, Lanacane or other over the counter cream for “feminine itching” - local anaesthetic plus something soothing, really takes the sensations away and helps it calm down. If you can bear them, slathering a load of hand cream on then sleeping in cotton gloves helps too. And drinking more water, especially if you’ve recently put your heating on.

Lots of moisturiser before you think you need it holds it at bay a bit.
Stress makes it worse.
The big bumps itch less when you've popped them

The itch scratch cycle makes it far, far worse. If you don't scratch the first eruption, it can settle down really fast. Once you scratch it's game over!

Antihistamine can help- cream or tablet- and anti itching cream of any kind.

It dries out and turns to yellowish crusty areas or pale flaky areas, depending how deep it is.

Beware- you can get really deep, big blisters. When you pop them, try and squash the skin back down so it heals. If it peels off, the crater is really quite deep.

It's cyclical. Mine's much better than it was, no big deep blisters anymore.

It's really worth stopping it in its tracks now, NO SCRATCHING!

Eumovate and Betnovate did nothing for me, then I was prescribed Synalar-C and it made a HUGE difference.

Antihistamines didn't help sadly, I'm prescribed fexofenadine for hayfever but it made no difference.

@BlackAlys I did consider if it was hand, foot and mouth as my feet also have these bumps and itch like mad. But I am well other than my hands and feet being blotched, and my cold sores. The inside of my mouth is fine. All signs point to pompholyx, which I had never heard of and am surprised to see here isn't rare!

@CatherineCawood and @Romanticrights - can totally understand resorting to teeth! Did it scar?

@picklemewalnuts I am rubbing the itch quite vigorously, trying not to pop anything...I hope that counts!!

Am slatheting on nivea and hydrocortisone until I can get something stronger. I got about two hours sleep last night. I am really sorry so many of you have this - and get it often! :(

Update photos for those who like that sort of thing!

I always use Daktacort on mine, although I only get it on my feet.