Itchy clusters of tiny blisters on hands

[ratherrachel]

Hi,

About once every 4-6 weeks I develop clusters of tiny blisters on my hands, mainly on the palms and down the sides of my fingers. They can sometimes feel a little bit itchy and sometimes they have a mild pins and needles sensation, though they do not cause me that much discomfort overall- it's more that they feel different which is unpleasant. After about 1/2 weeks the blisters 'burst' and I get a large patch of dry skin in their place which isn't nice. I can't link them to anything, this has been happening for years now. I have tried different moisturisers etc and nothing seems to work. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

[Dr Emma Wedgeworth]

This sounds like pompholyx, a type of hand eczema.

Avoid soaps and use an emollient based wash. Use a thick medical moisturiser ointment which is unfragranced. if these don't help, see your doctor for some steroid cream to help reduce inflammation and itching.