Pompholyx / Dyshidrotic Eczema

Hello,

I thought i'd share with you my experience & how I've been dealing with being diagnosed with Pompholx Eczema and how i'm getting on and what i've done to ease the symptoms in the hope it can help you a little. 

Firstly, I just want to say that I know you've been having a very rough time, you want to just chop off your hands and feet and your feeling very miserable right now but please dont worry - things will be ok!  

Discovering Pompholux & The Symptoms

I had a very small clusters of blisters on 1 toe which stayed there quite happily on their own for a whole month...I blamed my friends cat and presumed it must have flea bite feast that I'd had a bad reaction too. However this was not to last... Both feet errupted in what looked like tiny bumps which then spread across both hands and wrists. I was incorrectly diagnosed with Hand Foot and Mouth as i incendently had flu at the same time,so had to just persevered with the intense itching, burning and sleepless nights for 2 weeks. To aid the pain I was going to bed with a bag of frozen peas in the hope i would be able to at least catch 30mins however the burning from the firey lava of mount doom had other ideas! . This was just unbearable, itchy, hot and fearful it would never go away. i could not longer make a fist and any attempted task was a fail. I cried every night though the burning pain and thought this would never end!  After 3 further visits to the doctor they gave the diagnosis of Excema. By this point things had gotten soo bad that i could not move my hands at all, the bumps across my hands and feet had turned into blisters and most areas were red raw. The heat came in waves which meant having to stand outside just to give me hands and feet a little snow chill just to calm things down or wave them around just to catch a little chillness. Anyway - Things have gotten a little better  ....

The Remedy

Firstly - Do not scratch - it only makes things worse!!!   Until you see the doctor, keep things moisturised well and use an ice pack. I demended a same day appointment and explained it was a rash which had ereupted all over me - even some on my knee too btw, tell them is unbreable and you need someone right away if its just too much to bear. So at the Docs I was given a few things which have really helped. Its calmed the skin and I now have full use of my hands, I can sleep, the burning has gone and skins looking a lot better. So I recieved:

Doctors List:

1. Anti Fungal Cream - (Yup, like me you've never had a fungal infection, but i was happy to try anything) This goes on first. Twice a day.

2. Synalar - C Steroid / Anti fungal ointment (This goes on second. Spread a thin layer in effected area. This thins the skin, but its doing the job and at least i can move again) Twice a day.

3. Zeroderm Ointment (Third. This is basically petrollium jelly which should be used as often as possible and it REALLY helped me if this was rubbed into the skin. I mean massage it in deep as this helps it get into the skin better and also tricks your skin into thinking your scratching the itch but really your just massaging it   You can do this after its a bit less raw as i know if your at the stiff stage this might be a bit too sore.

4. Wash with an omoliiant soap substitute. I  overed my hands in the jelly stuff & then used gloves to wash my hair.

5. The doc gave me antihistamines and i recommend a stron sleeping tablet for the first few days, though i had to ask for this.

6. I was given a sick line as could not function, drive and was not capable of doing my job. Ask for this if you think you need it.

6. You can use cotton gloves too but i found these too hot in the burning stage so i just used these to help me to things like get dressed.

How I am now? 

So after the correct diagnosis, Its been 7 days since the Doc gave me all of the above and i can honestly say that I'm back to being able to function. I mean my hands & feet still look rubbish but not as bad as before. I can sleep at night without the need to cover myself in ice and i can even type with all fingers without pain instead of just the 1 finger    

What happens next?

So guys, I hope this helps at least and give a little comfort that you are totally right...Its an awful condition and if i was there then I would give you a hug to tell you its gonna be alright.   If you have any questions then please ask away. I'll post an update when im looking a little better to give you an idea on how long it takes for your skin to look normal again.  Im happy to post pictures thoughout the bump stages too so just ask.

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