# Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Eczema) - Category: chronic - Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page) - 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 date: 2026-08 ## Verified against - 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 ## Treatment metadata - Betamethasone — topical - Clobetasol propionate — topical - Prednisolone — 5 mg — oral.solid ## Complete treatment card ```text POMPHOLYX (DYSHIDROTIC ECZEMA) 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) Review status: REVIEWED against 3 sources listed above (2026-08) 1. BETAMETHASONE [1st line] Adult 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 Peds Pompholyx is uncommon before adolescence; use a lower-potency steroid and seek paediatric dermatology advice if it occurs in a young child 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. Caution 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. Egypt 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 BE... 6.90 EGP BETADERM 0.1% CREAM 15 GM EIPICO 18.00 EGP BETAVAL 0.1% CREAM 20 GM ARAB DRUG COM... 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 2. CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE [2nd line] Adult 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 Peds Specialist dermatology supervision required before using a very potent steroid in a child 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. Caution 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. Egypt CLOBITAT 0.05% TOPICAL CREAM 15 GM BIORIGINAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP PHARMA... 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 EGYP... 9.00 EGP DERMOPHARM 0.05% CREAM 25 GM WESTERN PHARM... 22.00 EGP DERMOVATE 0.05% TOP. CREAM 25 GM GLAXO SMITHKLINE 44.00 EGP HEROBETASOL 120 MLSHAMPOO EGPI > HEROPHARM 37.50 EGP 3. PREDNISOLONE [3rd line] Adult 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 Peds Refer to paediatric dermatology for severe childhood pompholyx rather than starting an oral steroid course in primary care 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 Caution 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. Egypt HOSTACORTIN H 5MG 30 TAB. SANOFI 12.00 EGP (0.40/unit) PREDNISOLONE 5 MG 20 TABS. ARAB DRUG COM... 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 RAMEDA 7.50 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid PREDNIS 5MG/5ML SYRUP 100 ML PHAROPHARMA 9.50 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy. ``` --- Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement. [Privacy policy](/privacy)