Understand the triggers and treatment options for hand eczema. Learn essential care tips to prevent flare-ups and maintain healthy skin.
Normal, dry to atopic skin
Eczema on Hands: Identifying symptoms, types, and treatments
Reading time : 6 min
Eczema on hands
Eczema on the hands is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting the palms, fingers, or back of the hands, leading to symptoms such as dryness, itching, and inflammation.
Understanding hand eczema
Eczema on hands is an inflammatory condition whose symptoms include intense dryness of the skin with red patches and severe itching. It affects about 10% of the US population.
The appearance of the symptoms varies from one person to another but the main symptoms of eczema on hands are:
Dry skin
Red patches
Itching
Burning feeling
Cracks or chapping of the skin
Hardening and thickening of the skin
Swelling and blistering
Scaly or crusty skin
Bleeding
Once redness has appeared on the skin, an oedema usually forms which then breaks down, oozes and dries out to form scabs.
Eczema on the hands usually appears when other parts of the body are already affected by this pathology. In almost all cases, both hands are affected, and the skin is extremely dry and scaly. The hands can become very painful, and the fingers swollen.
Irritant contact dermatitis or irritant eczema:
Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by contact with irritants such as detergents or solvents. Affected areas are usually limited to the ones in contact with the triggering factor.
Dyshidrotic eczema or pompholyx eczema:
Dyshidrotic eczema, also called pompholyx, is another form of eczema which may be caused by excessive perspiration. It is characterized by the formation of itchy, transparent bubbles on the palms, sides of fingers, or soles of the feet. Dyshidrotic eczema is the least common type of eczema. It may come in cycles and is most common before age 40.
Causes and triggers
In people with eczema, the immune system overreacts to the skin making it itchy and inflamed.
In addition to aggravating factors such as the increasing presence of irritants like air pollutants, harsh soaps and certain skincare products there are other common causes for eczema on the hands.
Extreme climatic conditions, dry air, frequent hand washing, exposure to chemicals and contact with irritants are often responsible for eczema on hands.
Atopic eczema is also genetic and runs in families. People with family members affected with eczema, asthma or hay fever are more likely to develop the condition themselves.
Because they are always exposed and in contact with various agents, the hands are the parts of the body that are more likely to develop irritation.
Regarding contact dermatitis, it is most often linked to your daily occupation; indeed, those involved in cleaning, food processing, gardening, construction and hairdressing are the most affected by this type of eczema.
Differentiating hand eczema from other skin conditions
Fungal infections vs. hand eczema:
Fungal infections are typically characterized by a distinct ring-like pattern rash. It can involve nails and scalp unlike eczema which does not affect these areas and present a more widespread redness and blistering.
Scabies vs. hand eczema:
Scabies is a contagious disease caused by mites which involves pinpoint itching and burrows. On the contrary, eczema is a noncontagious skin inflammation that flare-ups showing red, dry and scaly skin which can ooze or crust.
Comprehensive treatment and prevention strategies
To treat eczema on hands, preventive measures are the most effective but depending on the type and severity of the eczema, it may be necessary to take a specific treatment.
Most common treatments include:
Emollients that are medical moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated and prevent irritants and allergens from entering it
Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and control symptoms. They should be used for 2 weeks
Calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus to manage inflammation without the side effects of steroids
Oral medication for chronic, severe eczema which is not responding to other treatments. The period of treatment is usually 12-24 weeks (about 5 and a half months) depending on how your symptoms respond
Antibiotics when eczema turned into infection
Phototherapy using UV light can be considered to improve the appearance of the skin and eliminate imperfections once the disease has stabilized
Used over time and in the correct dose prescribed, these treatments are effective and safe for your health. After treatment, it may take several weeks for the skin to return to its normal state.
To prevent eczema on hands, it is essential to adopt a skincare routine designed to restore the skin’s moisture barrier. Use thick, ointment-based moisturizers and barrier creams for mild or sensitive skin several times a day and after hand washing.
Daily management and practical tips
If your work involves frequent hand washing or contact with irritating products and allergens, remember to apply a protective cream before and during work and wear non-latex gloves whenever it is possible.
Other practical tips you can do to prevent hand eczema include:
Avoid excessive hand washing with irritating soaps
Use lukewarm water for washing
Carry your own hand cleanser, moisturizer and medication with you wherever you go
Choose mild, fragrance-free cleansers
Use a humidifier if the air dries out your skin
Use vinyl gloves rather than latex or rubber gloves
Protect your hands against wind and cold in winter
Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly
BIODERMA offers a wide range of products to limit the risk of eczema symptoms on your hands and to restore your skin’s moisture barrier.
Atoderm Ultra Cream
Normal to dry skin
2 sizes | starting from
$17.99
Atoderm Hands & Nails
Dry to very dry skin
Tube 1,69 oz
$9.99
Atoderm Intensive Gel-cream
Very dry to atopic skin
Pump bottle 16,7 oz
$29.99
When to consult a healthcare provider
Complications are possible with eczema and may include oozing eczema which causes fluid-filled blisters to form. Infected eczema is a form of complication and occurs when a bacteria, fungus or virus penetrates the skin to cause an infection.
Symptoms that indicate complications are usually associated with:
Fever and chills
Clear, yellowish fluid leaking from blisters
Pain and swelling
If your symptoms worsen and initial treatments fail to improve your condition, see a dermatologist as soon as possible to find another treatment more suitable for your condition. Thanks to patch tests, a dermatologist will be able to learn what triggers your symptoms and help you figure out how to manage your condition.
Eczema is not harmful to the rest of the body, and thanks to many remedies and a good skincare routine, it is largely possible to keep the disease under control. Eczema is a chronic disease that can disappear and reappear unexpectedly.
