Blisters under skin on palms

Hi. A couple of months ago I developed ringworm on my arm and back. I treated these with Lotrimin Ultra and they got better. During this time, I also developed a small rash on the side of my right hand. It did not look like the other ringworm spots--it was not circular, but I treated it with Lotrimin anyways. I went to a doctor and she looked at it and said right away that it was ringworm and to keep treating it. (I also had a very small patch of dry skin near the top of my thumb on my other hand but she said it didn't look like ringworm.) She said that if it didn't get better within a couple of weeks, to see a doctor and get a prescription for a stronger cream. I treated both patches with regular lotion (Cetaphil) and Lotrimin, and sometimes it reacted the same (if not better) to Cetaphil as to the Lotrimin--which made me skeptical about whether or not it really was ringworm.
It did get much better for a while, and then very small blisters under the skin started to show up around the edge of the original rash, on both hands! They were itchy and because they are on my hand, would pop or break open and a clear fluid came out. They seemed to be going away and then continued to spread across my hand. It seems that the cycle is that they show up (take a couple of days to fully develop), then eventually pop and the skin left behind is very dry. I am seeing a dermatologist this week, but I just read about pompholyx. It looks and acts exactly the same, could this be it?  Is pompholyx ever associated with ringworm; perhaps it is an allergic reaction?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Pompholyx is also called dyshidrotic eczema. As in other forms of hand dermatitis, pompholyx is aggravated by contact with irritants such as water, detergents and solvents.

It is not related to ringworm which is a fungal infection. Soaks or compresses using weak solutions of Condy's crystals (potassium permanganate), aluminium acetate, or vinegar in water, are applied for 15 minutes four times a day. This will dry up blisters.Also apply liberal amounts of moisturizers.Other treatment optons include topical steroids,oral steroids and PUVA therapy.I think you should consult a dermatologist and discuss these options with him.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional doubts.