Skin
Medicines for Pompholyx
A type of eczema that causes intensely itchy small blisters on the palms, sides of the fingers and soles, which can dry, crack and peel; triggers include stress, heat and sweating, and contact with irritants or metals such as nickel — and it is treated as for eczema, with emollients, trigger avoidance and topical corticosteroids for flares.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Pompholyx?
Pompholyx, also called dyshidrotic eczema, is a form of eczema that affects the hands and feet. It causes crops of small, deep-seated, intensely itchy blisters on the palms, along the sides of the fingers and sometimes on the soles.
- How it is treated: Treatment follows the same principles as eczema.
- Self-care: Self-care centres on protecting the hands and feet and avoiding flare triggers.
- When to seek help: See your GP or pharmacist if itchy blisters on your hands or feet are not settling with emollients and over-the-counter care, keep coming back, or are interfering with work or daily life.
What it is
Pompholyx, also called dyshidrotic eczema, is a form of eczema that affects the hands and feet. It causes crops of small, deep-seated, intensely itchy blisters on the palms, along the sides of the fingers and sometimes on the soles. The blisters can be uncomfortable and, as a flare settles, the skin often dries out, cracks and peels, which can be sore. It tends to come in episodes, with periods of flare followed by clearer skin, and for some people it becomes a recurring or long-lasting problem. The exact cause is not fully understood, but several things are linked to flares: stress, heat and sweating, and contact with irritants or with metals such as nickel — and people who have eczema or other allergies elsewhere are more prone to it. It is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene. Because it is a type of eczema affecting thick-skinned areas, it is managed along the same lines as eczema, with attention to protecting the hands and feet and to avoiding the things that set it off.
How it is treated
Treatment follows the same principles as eczema. Emollients (moisturisers) are the foundation, used regularly and generously to keep the skin hydrated and the barrier intact, and as soap substitutes to avoid drying the skin further. A topical corticosteroid is used to bring a flare under control by reducing the inflammation and itch; because the skin of the palms and soles is thick, a stronger steroid is often needed in these areas than would be used on more delicate skin elsewhere. Avoiding triggers is an important part of the plan — managing stress where possible, keeping the hands cool and dry, and steering clear of irritants and, for those sensitive to it, nickel. Soaking and gently drying the affected skin, then protecting it, can ease symptoms, and gloves help shield the hands from water and irritants. Most flares settle with these measures, but skin that is severe, weeping or showing signs of infection, or that is not improving, should be reviewed, and more troublesome or persistent cases may need specialist input.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Pompholyx
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Pompholyx
Pompholyx can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Self-care centres on protecting the hands and feet and avoiding flare triggers. Use emollients frequently — including as soap substitutes — and reapply after washing and drying gently. Try to keep the hands cool and dry, as heat and sweating can trigger blisters, and wear protective gloves for wet work or when handling irritants, ideally with a cotton lining. Avoid harsh soaps, detergents and known irritants, and if you are sensitive to nickel, avoid contact with it. Resist scratching or popping blisters, which can damage the skin and let infection in. Because stress is a recognised trigger, finding ways to manage it can help reduce flares.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See your GP or pharmacist if itchy blisters on your hands or feet are not settling with emollients and over-the-counter care, keep coming back, or are interfering with work or daily life. Seek review sooner if a flare is severe, very painful, or widespread. It is important to look out for signs that the skin has become infected — increasing pain, redness and warmth, swelling, weeping, yellow crusting or pus, or feeling generally unwell or feverish — as infected skin needs treatment. Persistent or troublesome pompholyx that does not respond to usual measures may need referral to a dermatologist for further assessment and management.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Pompholyx: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for pompholyx?
Pompholyx is treated like other forms of eczema. Emollients (moisturisers) are the foundation, used regularly to hydrate the skin and protect the barrier, and as soap substitutes. A topical corticosteroid is used to settle a flare by reducing inflammation and itch — and because the skin of the palms and soles is thick, a stronger steroid is often needed in these areas than would be used on more delicate skin. These work best alongside avoiding triggers such as heat, sweating, irritants and, for those sensitive to it, nickel. Which products suit you and how to use a topical steroid safely is best decided with your pharmacist or doctor.
What causes pompholyx, or dyshidrotic eczema?
The exact cause is not fully understood, but pompholyx is recognised as a type of eczema, and several things are linked with flares. Common triggers include stress, heat and sweating, and contact with irritants or with metals such as nickel. People who already have eczema or other allergies are more prone to it. It is not contagious and is not a result of poor hygiene. For many people it comes and goes in episodes, with flares followed by clearer skin, and identifying and avoiding personal triggers — alongside good skin care — is a key part of keeping it under control.
How can I stop pompholyx blisters coming back?
Because flares are linked to particular triggers, reducing them helps. Keep the hands and feet cool and dry, as heat and sweating can set off blisters, and protect the skin from irritants and water by wearing suitable gloves for wet work. Use emollients regularly to keep the skin barrier in good condition, even between flares. If you are sensitive to nickel, avoid contact with it. Managing stress, a recognised trigger, can also reduce how often flares happen. Avoid scratching or bursting blisters, which damages the skin. If despite these measures the blisters keep returning or are troublesome, see your doctor for review.
Is pompholyx the same as athlete's foot or a fungal infection?
No — pompholyx is a type of eczema, not an infection, although the itchy, blistering, peeling skin on the feet can look similar to a fungal infection such as athlete's foot, and the two are sometimes confused. The distinction matters because they are treated differently: eczema needs emollients and topical steroids, whereas a fungal infection needs an antifungal. If there is any doubt about what is causing peeling, blistering skin on the hands or feet — or if treatment is not working — it is worth seeing your GP or pharmacist so the right diagnosis can be made and the correct treatment used.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Eczema - atopic.
- British Association of Dermatologists.
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