Key facts
- Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) causes tiny, very itchy blisters on the hands or feet.
- It is not contagious and cannot be passed on by touch.
- Flares often last about 2 to 3 weeks and may come back.
- Common triggers include wet work, detergents, heat and sweating, stress and nickel or cobalt allergy.
- Fungal infection and other rashes can look similar, so an accurate diagnosis matters.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms often start with itching, burning or prickling on the fingers, palms or soles, followed by clusters of small, deep-seated fluid-filled blisters. As the blisters settle, the skin may become dry, peeling, cracked and sore.
Symptoms alone cannot always tell dyshidrotic eczema apart from fungal infection, contact dermatitis or other blistering rashes, so a persistent or unusual rash should be checked by a doctor.
Risk factors
Frequent hand washing or wet work
Contact with detergents, soaps or cleaning chemicals
Heat, humidity and sweaty hands or feet
Nickel or cobalt allergy
A personal history of eczema or sensitive skin
Emotional stress
Common causes
The exact cause is not fully understood, and it is not simply caused by blocked sweat glands. Flares are often linked to irritants, contact allergy, heat and sweating, or stress, although sometimes no trigger is found.
How it is checked
A doctor asks about your symptoms, work, hobbies, skin products and how often flares happen, then examines your hands and feet, including checking for athlete's foot, which can trigger a similar blister rash on the hands. Most cases are recognised clinically without needing tests. If the rash is one-sided or the diagnosis is unclear, a skin scraping for fungal infection or referral for patch testing to check for contact allergy may be considered.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if this is your first episode, the itch or pain affects your sleep or work, the rash keeps coming back or spreading, or it is not improving with simple skin care.
Urgent warning signs
Seek prompt medical care if the blisters fill with yellow or green pus, develop yellow-brown crusts, or the skin becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen or red, especially with fever.
Frequently asked questions
Is dyshidrotic eczema contagious?
No. It is a type of eczema, not an infection, so it cannot spread to other people by touch.
How long does a pompholyx flare last?
Flares often settle within about 2 to 3 weeks, although the skin may stay dry or cracked for a while and new flares can occur.
Should I pop the blisters?
No. Bursting the blisters can make the skin sorer and increase the chance of infection, so keep the skin clean and moisturised instead.
Is pompholyx caused by sweating?
Not directly. Heat and sweating can trigger flares in some people, but the condition is not caused by blocked sweat glands.
Can dyshidrotic eczema be cured?
There is no guaranteed permanent cure, but moisturisers, avoiding triggers and prescribed treatment can control flares, and many people improve over time.