Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema) and potassium permanganate

[JumpJiving]

I developed Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema) on my hands last year. It was diagnosed and the symptoms treated using hydrocortisone cream following doctor's instructions. It got better, but didn't completely go away. The hydrocortisone dried my skin out so much that it still hasn't fully recovered over 6 months later.

Anyway, the pompholyx came back with a vengeance yesterday. I don't want to use more hydrocortisone, so want to try the old-fashioned treatment that I proposed to my doctor last year (the doctor pretty much laughed at the suggestion as it was so old-school, and then gave instructions for using the hydrocortisone that my hands still haven't recovered from - grrr).

The old-school treatment is soaking in dilute potassium permanganate. I've read the instructions about handling the pre-diluted tablets, diluting them, putting vaseline on nails to avoid staining, but one thing appears to be missing from the instructions - after soaking for 10-15 minutes, do you then rinse the potassium permanganate off your hands (as best you can)? I'm guessing yes, but somebody who knows confirm please?

(I'm not sure what triggers my pompholyx - I'm allergic to a host of things, so it could be a form of contact dermatitis, or it could be heat. I'm pretty sure that pressure makes it worse)

Many thanks

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi I have eczema and dermatitis, the stuff the doctor gives is far too strong for me. I have found that the Bodyshop Hemp works the best for me. It’s more gentle x

[lovesradio]

I get patches of pompholyx on the soles of my feet and at one point about 20 years ago all across the palms of my hands. Changing laundry products from Persil Non-bio to Fairy Non-bio liquid worked for palms of hands. My GP says heat makes pompholyx worse so suggested wearing flip flops round the house.

[lillyofthevalley37]

Hi I can see by your previous posts you have a few issues going on , how old are you if you don't mind me asking ? I am asking to gauge where you are hormonally

[JumpJiving in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Mid 50s and male Other than being slightly hypothyroidal (for which I take prescribed medication), my hormone levels are all fine - they've been checked not long ago.

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to JumpJiving]

You might find a small dose of DHEA might help you

[JumpJiving in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

lillyofthevalley37 Just an update three years later I developed adrenal insufficiency in 2023, which made my DHEA level go below the reference range. Whilst medicating (with hydrocortisone) the adrenal insufficiency, I also supplemented the DHEA, getting it back in range and actually slightly higher than it was in the past. Supplementing DHEA is recommended by some endocrinologists for patients with adrenal insufficiency, although the science around it's use in males is very vague (it's accepted that it's more important in females). The higher level unfortunately didn't make any difference to the skin on my hands which is still problematic. I've tapered off the DHEA again now as it was definitely causing another issues and possibly causing other issues, although it's hard to be sure about the latter.