Hey. I'm New (Pompholyx / dyshidrotic eczema)

[liss]

Hi All,
I'm completely at meltdown point with this condition . After my 3rd baby, one year ago, I started developing itchy blisters on my hands. I have since tried everything offered to me and nothing has provided relief. My dermatologist has raised the idea of PUVA treatment. Has anyone else done this? Did it work, or is it a waste of time. I'm starting to feel that nothing will bring relief. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, i've started getting spots up my arms and in the creases of my elbows. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

[B. Lewis]

Welcome to SkinCell!  I don't have your condition but I would like to say that PUVA has worked for a lot of skin conditions and I think it is worth a try.  I hope you get the help and support you need.

[liss]

Thankyou. It's good to know that some people are getting results. I know it works well for psoriasis but unfortunately pompholyx is a little more stubborn. Thanks for your response.

[Bamawing]

I'm the apple cider vinegar person... that is what worked for me.

Also, I'm in an odd spot in that lotions of any description are my trigger. Like any lotion. So when I first developed the condition, I was constantly exposing myself to my trigger in an effort to get it to stop!

Last but not least, PUVA is a PPP treatment... I've never heard of it used for Pompholyx before. But anything is worth a try when you're ready to bite your own fingers off! You'll probably find plenty more info on PUVA on the PPP thread, or just run a search. Good luck!

[liss]

Do you soak your hands in the vinegar every day? What do use instead of lotion? Do you use oils or anything? I'm starting to think that lotions are making mine worse too. I've been lathering myself up according to the instructions of my dermatologist but it is getting worse and worse. Does anyone ever get this to go away completely? Oh - I remember the days when I enjoyed life - LOL. Those days seem far gone.

[Bamawing]

I soak my hands in vinegar whenever I'm broken out... and I'll rub them with vinegar when they're dry. The vinegar acts as a moisturizer... I don't know why, but I'm not complaining!

To really help, toss in a couple of ice cubes in with your vinegar. It doesn't seem to dilute the effect, and the cold relieves the itch. If I can't get any vinegar at all (if I'm at work or whatever) I get a cup of ice to plop my hand into. I keep my vinegar in the 'fridge, too... Cold = Good.

The only time this backfired on me was after I moved to Germany... and discovered that they concentrate their ACV.

I can't say that this stuff has gone away entirely, but if I avoid lotions and dunk my mitts as soon as they start to swell, I can usually avoid an outbreak. At the very least, I don't have the horrible winter I had when I first contracted the stuff... I had quite the collection of lotions and creams, most of them "hypoallergenic."

I hope this works for you.

[liss]

I'm thinking your plan sounds good. Does it sting for you when you put your hands in I'm not sure if i'm further damaging my hands because it burns so much. Do you add any water to your ACV or do you use it straight?

Thanks for all your help

[Bamawing]

Ooh, no, it doesn't usually sting. Now when it's really really really bad, it burns a little, but that feels good because it's a feeling other than itch.

Until, like I said, I moved to Germany... then I had to dilute it. If its burning you, that's probably a good idea for you as well. It's OK if it tingles, but I don't think a burn really helps.

Best of luck. This is one frustrating disorder.

[liss]

Tell me about it. I didn't even know it existed before my blisters arrived. I'm sorry that there are so many others going through this terrible trial. I really hope to get it under control. I am so thankful for your help and well wishes 

[Bamawing]

How's it coming? Any relief?

[liss]

I just can't keep up with the blisters. Every time I get one lot under control a heap more come. ACV is helping to clear up the blisters faster but they are coming harder and faster LOL. I would love to work out why this is happening and get to the root of the cause. Cold compressors are my sanity at the moment. I went to a chinese herbalist who seems to thing he can heal me so I'll let you know how that goes. 

[iampeety]

I am doing NB UVB treatments for my pompholyx on my hands and feet.  I've done 9 treatments so far and just resumed today after a 2 week break due to a planned vacation.  It does seem to be helping as the blisters are slowly healing.  I still have a few of the blisters of my feet and hands but no where near the number when I first started treatment.  I think it's still a little early to judge if they are working or not, but I was told by the dermatologist that I probably won't start seeing results until 20-25 treatments. 

I don't know about PUVA treatment as it wasn't an option at my dermatologist's office.  I have read on the yahoo group for pompholyx suffers that NB UVB does seem to work. 

[liss]

Thankyou. That gives me some hope. All the best with your treatments and recovery. 

[Bamawing]

Still keeping my fingers crossed... for both of y'all!

[Kupla]

hi there,, i understand ur feeling.. and still remember the itchiness!! in my case ive suffered eczema and i think mebbe scabies.. on my hands usually.. i dunno about this but.. i used "simple" facial cleanser to cleanse,, avoid every dirty work at home (leave the cleaning to the machine / other ppl) dont wear lotion, not even calamine lotion.. but of course not to scratch else it leaves disastorous scar (i did sadly)

[Leenie]

I'm the apple cider vinegar person... that is what worked for me.

Also, I'm in an odd spot in that lotions of any description are my trigger. Like any lotion. So when I first developed the condition, I was constantly exposing myself to my trigger in an effort to get it to stop!

Last but not least, PUVA is a PPP treatment... I've never heard of it used for Pompholyx before. But anything is worth a try when you're ready to bite your own fingers off! You'll probably find plenty more info on PUVA on the PPP thread, or just run a search. Good luck!

Hi, like you, any lotion brings on a bigger dose of pompholyx because it's water-based. At the moment my hands are as rough as rocks but at least they are not itching because the blisters have dried. They look dreadful though!

[Bamawing]

Sometimes white vinegar helps with the roughness. But yeah, it's icky looking. And everyone who sees it comes at you with lotion, if you're anything like me!

[Zitrax]

Hi all,

I have this too and it's so annoying. I have not tried vinegar so maybe I should try that. I was a bit surprised to read about the cold/ice, as I have usually done the opposite by using very hot water which feels very good to me, although it might just help for the moment. But during the 6 or 7 years I have had these problems both on my feet and hands I have noticed that I have much less problems during the summer.

[Bamawing]

I used hot water at first... it acts (for me) like scratching the stuff. It stops the itch for a few minutes, and then it comes back, more intense than ever.

On the other hand, everyone is different. Hope you find something that works for you!