Treating and Preventing Summer Sweat Blisters

During the hot summer months, not only do people sweat profusely, but many also develop itchy small blisters on their hands. Although these blisters often occur in individuals who sweat excessively from their hands, they are not necessarily related to sweat glands in a pathological sense. These blisters are known as pompholyx, an acute form of hand eczema that poses minimal health risks but can recur frequently, affecting people's daily lives. So, what should you do if you develop small blisters on your hands in summer? Let's take a look.

Treating Itchy Blisters on Hands in Summer

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches

① Damp-heat syndrome: This syndrome is characterized by deep-seated, clustered, pinhead-sized blisters on the palms and soles of the feet, accompanied by intense itching. When the blisters are ruptured, a sticky, yellow fluid is released, and the tongue appears red with greasy fur, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. Treatment focuses on clearing heat and removing dampness. Herbal formula includes: 10g of Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), 10g of Huanglian (Coptis chinensis), 15g of Cangzhu (Atractylodes lancea), 10g of Chenpi (Citrus reticulata), 10g of Fuling (Poria cocos), 10g of Liuyisan (a powder made from talcum powder and other ingredients), 30g of Shengyiren (Coix lacryma-jobi), and 10g of Danpi (Moutan cortex).

② Dampness-spleen syndrome: This syndrome presents with scattered, pinhead to millet-sized, translucent blisters on the palms and soles, containing clear fluid and accompanied by intermittent itching. The tongue appears pale and slippery, and the pulse is soft and slippery. Treatment aims to strengthen the spleen and remove dampness. Herbal formula includes: 12g of Fuling (Poria cocos), 10g of Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), 10g of Zexie (Alisma orientale), 10g of Baibiandou (Dolichos lablab), 10g of Cheqianzi (Plantago asiatica), 60g of Chaoyiren (toasted Coix lacryma-jobi), 30g of Chaoshanyao (toasted Dioscorea opposite), and 60g of Dongguapi (wax gourd peel).

2. External Treatment

Given the predominance of dampness in this condition, a method called "absorbing dampness and constringing blisters" can be used. This involves soaking the affected area in a solution made from 30g of Mingfan (alum) and 30g of Shiliupi (pomegranate peel), boiled in water, for 5 minutes twice daily.

3. Dietary Therapy

① Increase consumption of vegetables and fruits that have spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing properties, such as yam, sweet potato, winter melon, watermelon, red beans, and pumpkin.

② Reduce intake of spicy, greasy, and alcoholic foods.

③ Avoid contact with soap, alkalis, detergent, dishwashing liquid, gasoline, alcohol, and other irritants.

④ Maintain a positive mindset and avoid excessive emotional stress.

⑤ Avoid tearing off peeling skin to prevent infection and abscess formation.

Causes of Small Blisters on Hands

Many people experience recurrent blisters, itching, and peeling on their hands, and despite various treatment attempts, the condition often persists yearly. This phenomenon is commonly known as pompholyx, a type of skin eczema that occurs symmetrically on the sides of the hands or feet. Given its predominance in areas with abundant sweat glands, such as the hands and feet, and its primary manifestation as blisters, it has been named pompholyx. Most experts believe that its etiology involves nonspecific skin eczema-like reactions related to individual constitution, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and psychological factors. Characteristic features include recurrent millet-sized papules and blisters on the palms and fingers, surrounded by minimal inflammation. The blisters have thick walls, initially containing transparent fluid that later becomes cloudy. After 2-3 days