What to Do If You Have Eczema on Your Hands

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a disorder that causes redness and itching of the skin. Although more frequent in children, it can strike anyone of any age. Dermatitis atopic is a condition that lasts for a long time (chronic) and tends to flare up regularly. Hay fever or asthma may accompany it.

Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment available for atopic dermatitis. The itching, however, can be alleviated by treatments, and self-care practices can help avoid further breakouts. For instance, avoiding soaps that are too harsh, moisturizing your skin regularly, and applying medicated lotions or ointments might be helpful.

Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment available for atopic dermatitis. The itching, however, can be alleviated by treatments, and self-care practices can help avoid further breakouts.

Symptoms of Hand Eczema

One of the potential symptoms of hand eczema is dryness. On the other hand, dry skin is just one of the signs of eczema. If applying hand moisturizer alone does not provide any relief, this may indicate that you are dealing with a more severe condition than dry skin.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), symptoms of hand eczema may include rashes that may be violet-brown, red, or dark brown, depending on your skin tone; mild to severe itching; scaly, chapped skin; skin on your hands may flow or become crusty; little blisters may ache; deep cracks may eventually bleed; and cuts may ooze or become infected. and the skin on your hands is cracked and dry.

The intensity of these symptoms might differ from one individual to the next.

Causes of Hand Eczema

Identifying the underlying reason or causes of your symptoms is essential before attempting to cure your hand eczema. In the following paragraphs, we will go through the three different forms of eczema that can affect your hands.

Eczema, known as contact dermatitis, develops when a person's skin reacts badly after touching an outer material. The response may take place nearly instantly. Fragrances, metals, chemicals, cleaning solutions, and other types of substances are among those that have the potential to induce contact dermatitis.

It's also possible to get eczema from latex gloves or sensitivity to specific dietary ingredients, like citrus, which can trigger an allergic reaction. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), those who work in particular professions may be at an elevated risk of acquiring hand eczema.

These include, but are not limited to, those who work in the fields of cosmetology, healthcare, culinary arts, construction, plumbing, maintenance, and machinists. Your risk of developing hand eczema is likely higher if you have a profession that requires you to immerse your hands in water or to work with chemicals (for example, if you wash your hands frequently).

Treating Hand Eczema

First and foremost, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends avoiding the causes of hand eczema if feasible. Your skin can also benefit from regular use of a fragrance- and preservative-free hydrating hand lotion. Your doctor may be able to provide an appropriate suggestion.

Seeking therapy from a dermatologist may be your best bet, especially if you're experiencing persistent or bothersome symptoms. Hand eczema can create various problems, some of which are discussed in detail by the AAAAI.

It's possible that the underlying inflammation in your hands is causing their dryness and cracking; in this case, your dermatologist may recommend topical steroid cream, which is used directly on the skin.

Due to the possibility of thinned skin, topical steroids are normally reserved for short-term usage only.

Your dermatologist may recommend the use of oral antihistamines if they believe allergies or AD are to blame for eczema on your hands. Taking antihistamines at night may be recommended by your doctor since they might induce drowsiness.

Hands that are very dry, cracked, or blistered have the potential to get infected. Antibiotics may be used in addition to conventional eczema treatments in such circumstances.

In some cases, injections may also be an option to treat eczema, depending on the root reason.

Allergy injections and potent drugs are known as biological options. According to a study published in 2019, immunomodulators—medications that alter or alter the function of your immune system—may potentially be an option.

Therapies for Hand Eczema

Wet Dressing. Dressings that have been drenched with water. Wrapping the afflicted region with topical corticosteroids and moist bandages is an effective and intensive therapy for severe atopic dermatitis. In certain cases, this is done in a hospital since it is time-consuming and needs specialized nursing skills. Ask your doctor if they can teach you how to do this at home

Light Therapy. Using light in therapeutic procedures. Patients who don't respond to topical therapies or flare up quickly after therapy might benefit from this procedure. Natural sunshine is the simplest kind of light treatment (phototherapy) that may be used. UVA and narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) are used in other forms, either alone or in combination with drugs.

Despite its effectiveness, long-term light treatment can cause premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. Because of these reasons, phototherapy is used less frequently in young children and is not administered to babies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fair treatment with your physician.