Hand Eczema

Hand eczema often results from a combination of causes, including genetic makeup, injury, contact with irritants and allergy. It is frequently caused or aggravated by work, when it is known as occupational dermatitis.

Hand eczema is particularly common in industries involving cleaning, catering, metalwork, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work.

Hand eczema varies in severity. It may affect the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites. Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but it can become increasingly severe and persistent.

The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy bumps and fluid-filled blisters, scaling, cracking, weeping and swelling. Bacterial infection can result in pustules, crusting and pain. Longstanding eczema at the ends of the fingers may result in deformed nails. Hand eczema can spread to affect other sites, particularly the forearms and feet.

The Facts About Eczema

Around one in 12 adults and one in five children have eczema.

There are many different types of eczema from mild to severe including Atopic Eczema - the most common form that often runs in families and Contact Eczema which may be caused by irritants such as detergents.

Eczema is a non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin. The term "eczema" comes from the Greek word ekzein meaning "to boil over".

The most common features of eczema are very itchy, dry, red skin. The itching and scratching, commonly known as the "itch-scratch-itch cycle", are seen as the most distressing part of eczema, causing disturbed sleep for the person with eczema.

The itchiness produces an urge to scratch which can be hard to resist - whatever your age.

Eczema can make the skin dry, hot and itchy and it can become broken, raw and bleeding.

However certain things such as stress, house dust mites and detergents can make it worse.

Conventional treatments include moisturizers and topical steroids. However, everyone's skin is different, what helps one will not always help another.

If not treated appropriately the skin may get more irritated and itchy leading to more scratching and damage to the skin. Emotionally and physically this can be devastating.

Light Sensitive Eczema

Eczema that is caused by sunlight is rare. The term for this kind of eczema is photosensitive. If it happens it is likely to occur on the face, hands and arms. Using high factor sun creams can treat it. Sometimes this eczema can be caused when people are taking medication that reacts to sunlight e.g. antihistamines and arthritis medications. Ingredients in soaps and cosmetics may also cause this.

Asteatotic Eczema

Asteatotic eczema occurs in older people who have thinner and dryer skin. Large dry scales may form on the skin giving a "crazy-paving" appearance to the skin. It is extremely common in communities of elderly people and may be triggered by soap remaining on the skin after a bed bath.

Using a good moisturizing routine and switching from soap to a cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin (such as Cetaphil “moisturizing gentle cleansing bar or Dove) can alleviate it.

Steroid creams are generally best avoided because the underlying skin is already very thin and delicate.

Fair-skinned, sensitive or elderly people who bathe a lot in hot showers or tubs can develop an asteatotic eczema that can be extremely difficult to clear up. Cessation of bathing and showering for a while may be necessary to clear the skin of these unfortunate patients.

The skin is increasingly susceptible to the irritant effects of water alone, and the hyper-irritability of the skin can be prolonged; it takes 3 months for a fracture to heal, similarly with the skin. The skin must be put at rest and allowed lubrication for that length of time before it recovers.