Pompholyx

Symptoms of pompholyx

Pompholyx causes itchy blisters on the hands or feet that come and go. The symptoms usually last 2 to 3 weeks at a time.

The first symptom is often itchy skin with a burning or prickling feeling in the affected area.

If you're not sure it's pompholyx

Other conditions can cause sore, itchy patches or blisters on the hands and feet, including psoriasis and fungal infections like ringworm and athlete's foot.

Do not try to diagnose yourself - see a GP if you're worried.

When and where to get medical help

Get medical help if you think you have pompholyx or you have any changes to your skin you're worried about.

See a GP if:

you think you have pompholyx
you have pompholyx and the blisters are very painful, leak yellow or green pus or are covered in a yellow-brown crust - these are signs of an infection
you have any other changes to your skin you're worried about

Treatments for pompholyx

Pompholyx is usually a long-term condition that comes and goes over time. Treatment can help control the symptoms.

The main treatments for pompholyx are:

moisturisers (emollients) - used every day to stop the skin becoming dry
steroid creams and ointments (topical steroids) - used for a few weeks at a time to reduce irritation and soreness

If the blisters leak fluid, a GP may suggest soaking your skin in potassium permanganate solution. This helps dry the blisters and reduces the risk of them getting infected.

If the blisters become infected, a GP may prescribe antibiotics.

Treatments from a specialist

If your symptoms are severe or treatment is not helping, a GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

A dermatologist may recommend other treatments, such as:

steroid tablets
treatment with ultraviolet (UV) light
other medicines, such as alitretinoin

The dermatologist will closely monitor your progress while you're using these treatments.

Things you can do to ease symptoms of pompholyx

If you have pompholyx, your skin may get irritated easily. There are some things you can try to see if they help.

Do

wash your hands with warm (not hot or cold) water and use a moisturiser (emollient) soap substitute instead of regular soap
wear protective gloves (ideally with a cotton lining) when using chemicals like shampoos, cleansers and detergents
wear socks, tights or stockings made from cotton or silk, rather than nylon
wear shoes made from leather, rather than plastic or rubber
avoid anything you think causes your symptoms, such as cleansers or detergents

Don't

do not burst your blisters

A pharmacist can help with pompholyx

If your skin gets very itchy and it affects your sleep, ask a pharmacist about antihistamines that make you drowsy (sedating antihistamines).

If you take these before going to bed, they can help you get to sleep.

Find a pharmacy

What causes pompholyx

It's not clear exactly what causes pompholyx.

Certain things are thought to cause symptoms in some people, including:

contact with strong chemicals like soaps, cleansers and detergents
an allergy or sensitivity to certain metals, such as nickel or cobalt
getting your hands wet regularly - for example, if you're a hairdresser
stress
heat and sweat

If you notice something causes your symptoms, avoiding it as much as possible may help keep your symptoms under control.

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