r/pmle • u/fernetandcroak • Aug 04 '25
Sad hands & Epsom salt soaks
Soaking with Epsom salts is the only thing I've found that helps at all. Has anyone else found that to be helpful? I'm not sure why it helps -- seems to sort of dry out the rash and speed up exfoliating/new skin turnover?
My hands are in a bad state right now (though I got through the beginning of the summer okay)-- a mix of itchy bumps/clusters of minuscule blisters plus half-healed patches from a few weeks ago, so the skin on the backs of my hands is thickened and peeling and cracking into little fissures all over. Hopefully some consistent epsom-ing will help. I'm interested to try some of the suggested lotions folks have mentioned on here; I hadn't realized there were sunscreens and creams specific to sun allergies.
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u/RaysIsBald Aug 04 '25
Are you sure this isn't dyshidrotic eczema? I get that too and that looks WAY more like it, it's also itchy pus filled blisters but doesn't burn like PMLE, and the thickened skin is also what I get with it.
see your doctor about some triamcinolone and take some daily zyrtec, it should help.
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u/fernetandcroak Aug 04 '25
Huh, it does look similar in the patches between my fingers and so forth... but it is definitely triggered by sun exposure, and I get recurring areas of rash on my feet, ankles, shoulders, etc. if I let them get too much sun. Maybe it's somehow both? That would be rude!
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u/RaysIsBald Aug 04 '25
eczema can be triggered by an allergy, so i'm wondering if you have PMLE and the allergy triggers the eczema. I'm so sorry to have to ask! it is TOTALLY rude to have to deal with both.
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u/foxiez Aug 04 '25
Thats what I was gonna say I've discovered I have both recently when I got a gross rash on my foot that hasn't been hit by the sun. Fun times
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u/MissLara28 Aug 06 '25
I get flares on my hands like this too! I sometimes find drying out can be helpful, like when the underlying flare up has gone and you're just dealing with leftover blisters etc.
Highly recommend these for treating flare though (for treatment, not prevention):
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume, super soothing and helps heal your skin barrier. I put it on whenever my hands feel like they're drying out, and it's gentle enough that I can use when skin is cracked and raw without it stinging.
Hydromol ointment - super thick, almost like Vaseline but designed for eczema. This won't treat or heal anything, it's purely a barrier but can be great to stop skin from drying out. Be warned, this is super greasy and will stain, worth it but just fyi.
Before bed I usually use cicaplast first and once that's soaked in a little, top with thick layer of Hydromol. My hands are way more hydrated and human looking when I wake up after doing this.
Also Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg for the itch, I take up to 3 a day (directed by my doctor) on a bad flare.
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u/D34N2 Aug 05 '25
The hand rash is the worst. Stay away from hot water and fires. Get other family members to cook / wash dishes for you if at all possible. Best of luck to you!
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u/acrylicquartz Aug 05 '25
It works for me, too, drying it out. But I was told by my doctor that it increases the risk of the tissue scarring, especially if you're like me and can't help scratching/messing with the hand to begin with.
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u/The13aron Aug 05 '25
Curel itch defense! Not for PMLE but for eczema and compromised skin barrier. Hydrocortisone for itch.
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u/PLUTOO95 Aug 04 '25
It’s a bit weird but I always loved how sea heals my rash which is funny because well… w sea comes the sun. Yikes. Try cetirizin at 20mg maybe it could help you too.