Hand Eczema

What is hand eczema?

Hand eczema, also known as hand dermatitis, is a common type of eczema that affects about 10% of the U.S. population. Genetics, contact allergens and irritating substances play a role in “triggering” this form of eczema. It often affects people who work in cleaning, catering, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical jobs where they may come into contact with chemicals and other irritants. It is a type of contact dermatitis which forms because of chemical irritants in the environment. Hand eczema is different from atopic dermatitis or nummular eczema, which are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because of its causes, hand eczema is less likely to affect kids.

Hand eczema isn’t contagious and can be managed. You cannot “catch” it from another person, or give it to someone else. Even so, the symptoms of hand eczema can impact a person’s self-esteem and their ability to perform on the job. Over time, hand eczema is a skin condition that can cause dry skin, a weakened immune system, eczema flare-ups in the affected areas and weakened skin barriers.

Some hand eczema symptoms are similar to other conditions such as allergic reactions, hay fever, food allergies and psoriasis, so it’s important to contact a dermatologist who can diagnose your skin condition.

What does hand eczema look like?

All types of eczema cause itching and redness of the skin. But some, like hand eczema, look and act slightly different than others.

Some symptoms of hand eczema:

• Cracked, peeling, scaly, or crusting skin
  

  Severe hand eczema on the fingers with cracked and peeling skin

• Redness
• Itchy skin in the affected area
• Pain
• Dryness, to the point of peeling and flaking.

There is another specific type of hand eczema called pompholyx or dyshidrotic eczema, which causes small, itchy blisters to appear on the palms of the hands. Dyshidrotic eczema tends to affect women more than men. If you think that you might have dyshidrotic eczema, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Treatment for hand eczema

The best treatment for hand eczema is avoiding what caused it.

Knowing which substances trigger your hand eczema and protecting your hands at home and at work, can help guard your skin against further irritation. The most important thing to remember is to be consistent — a daily skin care routine is the best defense.

If you believe that a substance at home or at work is causing your hand eczema, your doctor can do a “patch test” to see which allergens or irritants may be the problem. Your doctor can also help pinpoint behaviors or practices that may be contributing to your hand eczema and help you find ways to modify or avoid them. In some cases, antihistamines, biologics, topical corticosteroids or other prescribed or over-the-counter medications might be necessary. However, discuss treatment options with a healthcare provider with experience in dermatology before deciding on a treatment plan.

Some bas

• If you need to clean your hands, wash them with lukewarm (not hot) water and fragrance-free cleanser.
• Gently blot hands dry, and apply a moisturizer immediately after you wash your hands.
• The most effective moisturizers are the ones with a higher oil content (like ointments and creams). Keep one near every sink in your home, so you don’t forget to apply it after washing your hands. Check out NEA’s Seal of Acceptance Product Guide for recommendations on safe and effective moisturizers.
• If sanitizing your hands isn’t necessary, try a waterless hand washing method: use the same cleanser, but without any water and then gently blot off any excess cleanser when you’re done.
• Avoid waterless, antibacterial cleansers, which often contain ingredients like alcohol and solvents that are very hard on your hands (especially during flare-ups).
• Keep cotton gloves around the house to protect your hands while you do chores, like folding the laundry. When the gloves become dirty, be sure to wash them using fragrance-free, dye-free detergent.
• If your fingertips aren’t affected by eczema, you can cut the tips off of your cotton gloves so that they’re more comfortable to wear in warm weather.
• Use a combination of vinyl gloves and cotton liners when doing work that involves getting your hands wet. Afterward, be sure to wash your gloves inside out, and let them air dry. If water gets into your glove, take it off immediately, blot hands, dry and replace with a new glove.
• If you’re doing work with foods like potatoes, onions, peppers, meat, or acidic fruits (like tomatoes, or citrus), use disposable gloves that you can throw away once you’re finished.
• Ask someone else to shampoo your hair, or shampoo it yourself while wearing protective gloves (waterproof vinyl with cotton liners). Use rubber bands around your forearms to help keep water from rolling down your arm and into your gloves. This can also help protect against seborrheic dermatitis, eczema which affects the scalp.
• Remove rings from your fingers while doing housework and before washing and drying your hands, as irritants can get trapped beneath. Clean your rings often.
• Do not wash dishes or clothes by hand. Instead, use a dishwasher and washing machine. If you can’t avoid washing by hand, do so under running water and use a long-handled scrubber to prevent hot water from damaging your skin.
• Once your eczema clears, your doctor may want you to use petroleum jelly on your hands, overnight, with gloves. Use the same gloves over and over, so that they continue to absorb the product and lock moisture in while you wear them.

Some basic things you can do at work to help control your hand eczema:

• Avoid allergens or irritating substances in products you use on the job — like industrial hand cleansers or waterless, antibacterial cleansers that may trigger your hand eczema, or make it worse. These often contain ingredients like alcohol and solvents, that are very hard on your hands, especially during flare-ups.
• Protect your hands at work with a combination of heavy-duty vinyl or neoprene gloves and cotton glove liners. Regularly wash cotton liners and vinyl gloves if they aren’t disposable.
• Always carry your own hand cleanser, moisturizer and medication with you, wherever you go.
• Keep your clothes, protective gear, tools and work surfaces clean and free of residue from irritating substances.
• Treat wounds on your hands (even minor ones) and bandage them in order to avoid irritation from allergens or chemical substances.
• Your doctor may also prescribe a barrier repair cream or topical steroid to help speed up healing.

What type of moisturizer is good for hand eczema?

The more water there is in a lotion or moisturizer, the more likely it is to worsen your hand eczema. Moisturizers usually contain more water than oil, and when the water evaporates it can dry out the skin. The best moisturizer for hand eczema is a greasy ointment, such as petroleum jelly. Be sure to read the label to determine which moisturizer has the least amount of water.

The National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance directory has a list of moisturizers specially formulated for eczema skin.

Apply the moisturizer to your hands immediately after you bathe and each time you wash your hands.

Remember that it can take a few months for a flare-up to clear. Even if your hands appear eczema-free, you will sometimes need to take special care to avoid a return of symptoms or getting other skin infections.

Learn more about how to control and treat eczema.

Remember that it can take a few months for a flare-up to clear. Even if your hands appear eczema-free, you will sometimes need to take special care with them to avoid a return of symptoms.

Learn more about how to control and treat eczema.