Learn About Pompholyx Eczema

What is the definition of Pompholyx Eczema?

Pompholyx eczema is a condition in which small blisters develop on the hands and feet. The blisters are often itchy. Pompholyx comes from the Greek word for bubble.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes.

What are the alternative names for Pompholyx Eczema?

Cheiropompholyx; Pedopompholyx; Dyshidrosis; Dyshidrotic eczema; Acral vesicular dermatitis; Chronic hand dermatitis

What are the causes of Pompholyx Eczema?

The cause is unknown. The condition seems to appear during certain times of the year.

You are more likely to develop pompholyx eczema when:

  • You are under stress
  • You have allergies, such as hay fever
  • You have dermatitis elsewhere
  • Your hands are often in water or are moist
  • You work with cement or do other work that exposes your hands to chromium, cobalt, or nickel

Women seem to be more prone to developing the condition more than men are.

What are the symptoms of Pompholyx Eczema?

Small fluid-filled blisters called vesicles appear on the fingers, hands, and feet. They are most common along the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles. These blisters can be very itchy. They also cause scaly patches of skin that flake or get red, cracked, and painful.

Scratching leads to skin changes and skin thickening. Large blisters may cause pain or can get infected.

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What are the current treatments for Pompholyx Eczema?

Pompholyx may go away on its own. Treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms, such as itching and preventing blisters. Your provider will likely recommend self-care measures.

SKIN CARE AT HOME

Keep your skin moist by lubricating or moisturizing the skin. Use ointments (such as petroleum jelly), creams, or lotions.

Moisturizers:

  • Should be free of alcohol, scents, dyes, fragrances, or other chemicals.
  • Work best when they're applied to skin that is wet or damp. After washing or bathing, pat the skin dry and then apply the moisturizer right away.
  • May be used at different times of the day. For the most part, you can apply these substances as often as you need to keep your skin soft.

MEDICINES

Medicines that help relieve itching can be bought without a prescription.

  • Take an anti-itch medicine before bed if you scratch in your sleep.
  • Some antihistamines cause little or no sleepiness, but aren't so effective for itching. These include fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec).
  • Others can make you sleepy, including diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Your provider may prescribe topical medicines. These are ointments or creams that are applied to the skin. Types include:

  • Corticosteroids, which calm swollen or inflamed skin
  • Immunomodulators, applied to the skin, which help keep the immune system from reacting too strongly
  • Prescription anti-itch medicines

Follow instructions on how to apply these medicines. Do not apply more than you're supposed to use.

If symptoms are severe, you may need other treatments, such as:

  • Corticosteroid pills
  • Corticosteroid shots
  • Coal tar preparations
  • Systemic immunomodulators
  • Phototherapy (ultraviolet light therapy)
Who are the top Pompholyx Eczema Local Doctors?
Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Cigna Healthcare Of Arizona Inc

1840 S Stapley Dr, 101 Stapley Multispecialty, 
Mesa, AZ 
 13.5 mi
Accepting New Patients

Monika Herdzik is a Family Medicine provider in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Herdzik and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pompholyx Eczema. Her top areas of expertise are Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Sciatica, and Scoliosis. Dr. Herdzik is currently accepting new patients.

Bingham Dermatology Group LLC

2855 E Brown Rd, Suite 28, 
Mesa, AZ 
 15.0 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Jeremy Bingham is a Dermatologist in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Bingham and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pompholyx Eczema. His top areas of expertise are Seborrheic Keratosis, Warts, Purpura, and Gardner-Diamond Syndrome. Dr. Bingham is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Dermatology
Dermatology

Sam P Smith Do LLC

4915 E Baseline Rd, Suite 102, 
Gilbert, AZ 
 10.3 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Sam Smith is a Dermatologist in Gilbert, Arizona. Dr. Smith and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pompholyx Eczema. His top areas of expertise are Actinic Keratosis, Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis, Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma, and Bowen's Disease. Dr. Smith is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Pompholyx Eczema?

Pompholyx eczema usually goes away without problems, but symptoms may come back. Severe scratching may lead to thick, irritated skin. This is called lichenified skin. This makes the problem harder to treat.

When should I contact a medical professional for Pompholyx Eczema?

Contact your provider if you have:

  • Signs of infection such as tenderness, redness, warmth, or fever
  • A rash that does not go away with simple home treatments
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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 01, 2023
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Frey S, Snyder ML, Guttman-Yassky E, Wollenberg A. Hand and foot eczema (endogenous, dyshidrotic eczema, pompholyx). In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson I, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 99.

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Eczema, atopic dermatitis, and noninfectious immunodeficiency disorders. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 5.