Clinical reference

Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Eczema)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources3 sources

Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS): Eczema - Hand Dermatitis 2025 · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (betamethasone monograph) · Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) Cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 939)

Verified against3 documents

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (betamethasone monograph)
Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) Cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 939)
Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS): Eczema - Hand Dermatitis 2025

Verified date2026-08

BETAMETHASONE

1st line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Apply 0.1% cream/ointment thinly twice daily to vesicles on the palms and soles x 2-4 weeks for the acute flare, then reduce to twice-weekly maintenance on previously affected skin

Paediatric dose

Pompholyx is uncommon before adolescence; use a lower-potency steroid and seek paediatric dermatology advice if it occurs in a young child

Dose source

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (betamethasone monograph)

Why

The atopic-eczema-adult entry stops at mild (hydrocortisone) and moderate (clobetasone) potency, which is right for the face, flexures, trunk and limbs it covers. Pompholyx affects palms and soles, where the stratum corneum is far thicker, so treatment starts here at potent rather than stepping up to it.

Cautions

Do not use on the face, groin, or flexures - reserve potent steroid for the thick skin of palms and soles.
Step up to a very potent steroid (clobetasol propionate) if there is no improvement after 2 weeks.
Watch for secondary bacterial or fungal infection in macerated, weeping skin.
The Egyptian formulary limits a course to 5 days when this is used on the face or in a child - 0.1% betamethasone is potent and the face thins fastest.

Egyptian brands

Egyptian brand	Manufacturer	Indicative price
CRONOMESONE 0.1% CREAM 15 GM	PHAROPHARMA	4.00 EGP
CRONOMESONE 0.1% OINT. 15 GM	PHAROPHARMA	4.00 EGP
BETNOVATE 0.1% TOP. OINT. 15 GM	SMITHKLINE BEECHAM > GLAXO SMITHKLINE	6.90 EGP
BETADERM 0.1% CREAM 15 GM	EIPICO	18.00 EGP
BETAVAL 0.1% CREAM 20 GM	ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)	20.00 EGP
BETADERM 0.1% CREAM 30 GM	EIPICO	23.00 EGP
BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE 0.05% CREAM 20 GM	AMRIYA	11.50 EGP
BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE 0.05% OINT. 20 GM	AMRIYA	11.50 EGP

CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE

2nd line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Apply 0.05% cream/ointment thinly twice daily to vesicles on the palms and soles; night-time occlusion with cotton gloves can be added once the skin is no longer weeping x 2-4 weeks for the acute flare, then reduce to twice-weekly maintenance on previously affected skin

Paediatric dose

Specialist dermatology supervision required before using a very potent steroid in a child

Dose source

Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) Cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 939)

Why

For severe or potent-steroid-refractory vesicular flares on the palms and soles. This is the same very-potent option used for lichen planus, at the same strength and frequency.

Cautions

Clobetasol propionate is a superpotent topical corticosteroid - do not use continuously for more than 4 weeks without medical review.
Avoid the face, axillae, and groin.
More than 50 g per week risks systemic absorption (adrenal suppression, Cushingoid effect).
Ceilings the label sets: no more than 50 g in a week, no longer than 4 weeks, courses kept to about five days where possible and reviewed weekly. If it is still needed after that, step down to a weaker steroid and keep an emollient going. Clobetasol is the most potent class - atrophy and adrenal suppression are the price of open-ended use.

Egyptian brands

Egyptian brand	Manufacturer	Indicative price
CLOBITAT 0.05% TOPICAL CREAM 15 GM	BIORIGINAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP PHARMA EGYPT	5.50 EGP
DERMASOL 0.05% CREAM 20 GM	UP PHARMA	5.50 EGP
DERMASOL 0.05% OINT. 20 GM	UP PHARMA	5.50 EGP
CLEROVATE 0.05% TOPICAL OINT. 25 GM	MARCYRL PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES (MPI)	7.50 EGP
CLOVACORT 0.05% OINT. 20 GM	EUROPEAN EGYPTIAN PHARM. IND.	9.00 EGP
DERMOPHARM 0.05% CREAM 25 GM	WESTERN PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRIES	22.00 EGP
DERMOVATE 0.05% TOP. CREAM 25 GM	GLAXO SMITHKLINE	44.00 EGP
HEROBETASOL 120 MLSHAMPOO	EGPI > HEROPHARM	37.50 EGP

PREDNISOLONE

3rd line

Strength5 mg

Formoral.solid

Adult dose and duration

0.5 mg/kg once daily for 1 week, then reduce by 5 mg each subsequent week until stopped, continuing the topical steroid throughout - Short tapering course, typically 3-5 weeks total

Paediatric dose

Refer to paediatric dermatology for severe childhood pompholyx rather than starting an oral steroid course in primary care

Dose source

Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS): Eczema - Hand Dermatitis 2025

Why

Short oral corticosteroid course for severe, extensive, or disabling flares not controlled by a very potent topical steroid

Cautions

Reserve for severe, extensive, or disabling flares not controlled by a very potent topical steroid.
Do not stop abruptly if given for more than 2-3 weeks - taper as prescribed.
Short-term side effects include mood change, insomnia, raised blood glucose, and hypertension - check glucose if the patient is diabetic or at risk.

Egyptian brands

Egyptian brand	Manufacturer	Indicative price
HOSTACORTIN H 5MG 30 TAB.	SANOFI	12.00 EGP (0.40/unit)
PREDNISOLONE 5 MG 20 TABS.	ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)	24.00 EGP (1.20/unit)
PREDILONE 5MG 10 TAB. (25 STRIPS PACK)	KAHIRA	250.00 EGP (25.00/unit)
EPICOPRED 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.	EIPICO	69.00 EGP
PREDNISOLONE-EVA 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.	EVA PHARMA	79.50 EGP
DISPRELONE-OD 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSABLE TABS.	ANDALOUS PHARMA	84.00 EGP
SOLUPRED ORO 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.	SANOFI WINTHROP > SANOFI	84.00 EGP
ACETASEE 1% EYE DROPS (SUSP.) 5 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solid	RAMEDA	7.50 EGP
PREDNIS 5MG/5ML SYRUP 100 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solid	PHAROPHARMA	9.50 EGP

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.