What is my skin problem? please help!

A couple of years ago after I just had a vaccine I started noticing little "blister" like bubbles forming on my hands. A couple of days later they got bigger and bigger. Then after only 3 days the inside of my hands were big water blisters. Very painfull. Lasts for about 5 more days. When it starts to go away the liquid becomes darker (brownish). then it drys and the skin peels off...
Since then this has happened 3 other times. Each time it gets bigger and bigger. When this happends i can not use my hands at all because it is too painfull and it occupies to much place.
I have went to so many doctors and dermatologists and they just don't seem to care about it. They give me creams and priscriptions that don't work at all.

Does anyone have an idea of what it could be?
Please help me!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Your symptoms are suggestive of pompholyx. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Symptoms  can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If they prove unsucvessful, then Light treatment: UVA-1, PUVA, Grenz rays, Low Level Light Therapy using a Red + NIR (LED) combination can be used. For recalcitrant cases, corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressants may be used. In addition, you can apply aloe vera to the hands. It will help.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.