Pompholyx.co.uk

Pompholyx is a common type of eczema affecting the hands and sometimes the feet.

The first stage of this condition is the appearance of tiny blisters that are deep in the skin. Some people describe them as "tapioca-like" blisters. These blisters contain a clear water-like substance (edema fluid) that usually subsides without bursting and expelling its contents. The blisters are associated with an itching and sometimes a burning sensation. In extreme cases, peeling, cracking and crusting of the skin can occur. The skin may also harden.

Pompholyx is also known as dyshidrotic eczema or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet. The severity of the condition can range from a few dry, red, itchy patches to huge areas of the body which can be covered in sore, inflamed, weeping and bleeding skin which can invariably become infected. It most commonly however just affects the hands and feet.

It can start on the sides of the fingers as itchy little bumps and then can develop into a rash. The condition can also affect only the feet. Some patients are affected in both the hands and feet.

Pompholyx affects people differently and because of this it is hard to describe a typical case. See "Others Experiences" to find hear how it affects other people.

Episodes usually occur abruptly. The blisters are extremely itchy and usually appear in crops and last for one or two weeks. As the swelling and blisters subside scaling and fissures can occur. The course tends to be unpredictable.

A couple of months ago we wrote an article called "Bad Summer - kind to your hands" . We've heard from MS in Poland who finds that the Summer is his "season off" and it's the Winter when he suffers most. Read what he has to say about Pompholyx in Winter

This week we heard from Mr M who has found a cheap and readily available solution for treating the symptoms of his pompholyx (see "Living with Pompholyx") and also from Rose who has a more exotic solution. She asked us where she could find the ointment she uses. We found a source online and then asked them how it works. Rose's comments and the background from the supplier are on a new article called "Eastern Promise?"

And a note of hope from the coast. One reader has found that a centuries old cure is helping her keep her pompholyx under control – read her hand eczema secret on the "Treatment of Pompholyx" page

It's great to hear that people are finding the site useful. Here are a few of the many kind comments we have had "I think it's great that you've made a site dedicated to pompholyx. Thank you for that"; "I felt a lot better after finding pompholyx.co.uk. Do take care"; "I found this website today and have found it very helpful and very interesting to read others experiences"; "Thank you for this informative site and allowing me to realise I am not alone with this problem". Thank you so much for your encouragement. Keep your emails coming.

Pompholyx can be known as pompholyx eczema; hand eczema; dyshidrotic eczema; hand dermatitis; dyshidrotic dermatitis; dyshidrosis; cheiropompholyx (pompholyx of the hands); pedopompholyx (pompholyx of the feet); vesicular eczema of the hands.

This site provides you with some basic information about Pompholyx and the issues that arise from living with the ailment. If you want to do more research or if you want to know about treatments for Pompholyx and eczema we recommend searchig on Google.

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