Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause uncomfortable rashes that may develop unexpectedly. Hand eczema can affect your hands, fingers, and wrists.
Eczema is a type of skin condition that can affect many different parts of the body, often simultaneously.
The hands are one of the most commonly affected body parts. Researchers estimate that around
Hand eczema can also be the only manifestation of eczema on the body. Certain professions, skin care habits, and other factors may lead to the development of this skin rash on your hands only.
Read on to learn how to identify an eczema flare-up and what you can do to help treat and prevent it.
Skin dryness is one possible sign of hand eczema, but eczema symptoms usually go beyond dry skin. One way to tell you have more than dry skin is that you can’t find relief from using hand moisturizer alone.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), symptoms of hand eczema may include:
- patches or rashes that may be red, violet-brown, or dark brown, depending on the tone of your skin
- mild to severe itchiness
- scaly, chapped skin
- small blisters that may itch or burn
- deep cracks in your skin that may eventually bleed
- cuts in your hands that may ooze or become crusty
- dry, painful cracks
Symptoms usually appear on the palms of your hands, but can also affect the dorsum (top), fingers, and wrist.
Hand eczema is also more common in adults, usually developing in a person’s
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The underlying cause of hand eczema is still not completely understood, but researchers have identified
The first is a dysfunction with the skin barrier. This is the top layer of skin, which is responsible for protecting your skin from outside irritants and preventing moisture from evaporating to keep your skin hydrated.
Several factors may affect the skin barrier function. These
Hand eczema may also be caused by an abnormal immune response to things that touch the skin, such as irritants or allergens. This may lead to inflammation, which can damage the skin.
The underlying cause of eczema may help determine the type of hand eczema you have.
Several different types of eczema are most likely to affect your hands. These include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common type of eczema, affecting up to 1 in 10 people in the United States. Around
AD is thought to be caused by a leaky skin barrier, which can be genetic or environmental. This can leave your skin vulnerable to dryness and irritation as water leaks out and irritating substances settle in.
For some people, hand eczema is related to more widespread allergic eczema. Some
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) suggests that if you have skin rashes along with allergies or asthma, you may have AD.
Contact (irritant) dermatitis
Contact (irritant) dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs when your skin reacts negatively to contact with a foreign substance. The reaction can happen almost immediately.
This is the
- fragrances
- chemicals
- metals
- cleaning solutions
- latex gloves
- food substances, such as citrus
According to the AAD, people in certain occupations may be at increased risk of developing hand eczema. These include, but are not limited to:
- hairdressers
- healthcare workers
- chefs
- construction workers
- plumbers
- custodians
- machinists
Any job that exposes your hands to chemicals or to frequent water immersion, such as frequent handwashing, can increase your risk of hand eczema.
Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx)
Dyshidrotic eczema, also called pompholyx, is a type of rash that only affects your hands and feet.
It primarily causes itchy blisters on the palms of your hands, fingers, or soles of your feet that may last 2 to 3 weeks. You may feel burning or prickling sensations in your skin before the blisters develop.
Some people may experience occasional dyshidrotic eczema flare-ups for life. For others, this type of hand eczema can be a one-time occurrence.
There’s no clear cause of pompholyx, but this hand eczema may share some triggers with contact dermatitis. These include:
- allergies or sensitivities
- frequent handwashing or immersion in water
- exposure to metals, fragrances, and chemicals
Several skin conditions are sometimes mistaken for hand eczema. The
Although eczema and psoriasis symptoms may appear similarly, psoriasis is usually more flaky, and the plaques may have defined borders.
Eczema is also characterized by an “
Other possible skin conditions that may be mistaken for eczema
A dermatologist can assess your symptoms and order diagnostic tests like a skin scrape to provide a diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.
Treatment for hand eczema will depend on the underlying cause, type, and severity.
One of the most important steps for managing hand eczema is avoiding the underlying irritant. If this isn’t possible, frequently applying a fragrance-free, preservative-free moisturizing hand cream may help your skin heal.
If your hand eczema symptoms are severe, consider speaking with a dermatologist to discuss treatment options. Depending on the underlying causes, these may include:
- topical moisturizers, such as creams, gels, ointments, or lotions
- topical prescriptions medications, such as steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors
- systemic therapies, such as biologics
- oral histamines
- phototherapy
- wet wrap therapy
A dermatologist can help develop the best treatment plan for you.
In addition to prescribed treatments, you can help manage hand eczema with the following tips:
- Apply an unscented moisturizing hand cream within a few minutes of washing your hands.
- Wash your hands in cool or lukewarm water with unscented soap only.
- Pat hands dry instead of rubbing them with a towel. Rubbing them dry can further irritate eczema rashes.
- Apply a moisturizer to your hands before bed and wear cotton gloves for better absorption into your skin.
- Keep your fingernails short to help prevent accidental cuts and wounds caused by scratching eczema rashes.
For occupation-related hand eczema that’s more severe, the AAD recommends taking a few days off work during treatment, if possible. This may help give your hands a better chance at recovering more effectively.
While certain treatments and skin care changes can help with eczema on your hands, the symptoms are likely to come back if you don’t take preventive steps.
Here’s what you can do to help prevent hand eczema:
- Avoid directly exposing your hands to irritating substances, such as fragrances, detergents, and chemicals.
- Wear gloves if your hands are to be submerged in water for long periods of time, such as when washing your hair or dishes.
- Use only fragrance-free soaps, detergents, and lotions.
- When using a hand sanitizer, the AAD recommends choosing one that has a moisturizer.
- Avoid irritating fabrics, such as wool gloves.
- If you have allergies, avoid your triggers whenever possible. These may include dust mites, pollen, and animal dander.
- Minimize stress, which the AAAAI warns can cause worsening itching and irritation in eczema rashes.
If these tips don’t help prevent eczema flare-ups, you may need prevention therapy like biologics or JAK inhibitors.
At first, hand eczema can be a challenging condition to manage. But once you’ve identified the underlying causes, you can better treat and prevent this type of eczema.
According to the AAD, it’s also possible to recover from hand eczema by carefully adhering to your treatment and prevention plan.
If you continue to experience severe hand eczema symptoms, such as significant dryness, inflammation, and pain, it may be time to see a dermatologist for help. In addition to maintaining home strategies for healthy skin, they may prescribe treatments to help you manage your eczema.