Dyshidrotic Eczema — Recurrent Blisters and Itching on Hands and Feet

Small blisters keep forming on your palms

Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is a skin condition in which small, clear blisters repeatedly appear on the palms, the sides of the fingers, and the soles, accompanied by intense itching. When the blisters rupture, the skin peels and cracks, making daily life uncomfortable.

Korean medicine diagnosis: Spleen deficiency with damp steaming (脾虛濕蒸)

• Spleen deficiency (脾虛): A weak spleen and stomach impair fluid metabolism → dampness (濕) stagnates at the extremities
• Damp-heat (濕熱): Heat combined with dampness produces blisters and itching
• Stress: Liver-qi stagnation (肝鬱) suppresses the spleen and stomach, intensifying damp-heat

Treatment

• Damp-draining herbal formulas: Modified Pyeongwi-san (平胃散) plus Ijin-tang to strengthen the spleen and stomach and drain dampness
• Topical treatment: Compresses with Gosam (苦參) and Hwangbaek (黃柏) extract — directly clears damp-heat
• Acupuncture: Hegu, Quchi, and Yinlingquan (陰陵泉) — a core combination of acupoints for draining dampness

Preventing recurrence

• Environments with frequent water exposure (detergents, wet work) → wear cotton gloves under rubber gloves
• Stress is a direct trigger → stress management is key to preventing recurrence
• Instant foods, refined flour, and cold foods → correct dietary habits that weaken the spleen and stomach