Understanding Hand Eczema

Hand eczema caused by frequent contact with everyday substances, such as detergents and chemicals, which are irritating to the skin. It can be prevented by avoiding the irritants and keeping the skin moisturized. A good moisturizer to use is a pure jojoba oil.

Hand eczema becomes more common as people get older. There are two types of hand eczema:

1) Direct irritant contact eczema: due to physical damage to the skin caused by friction or certain chemicals. The rash occurs at the point of direct contact with the skin.

2) Allergic contact eczema: due to exposure to an allergen that sensitizes the immune system resulting in an antibody response. Further contact with the allergen causes an increasing level of antibody response with the rash developing on other parts of the body other then the point of physical contact.

Symptoms of hand eczema include scaling and thickening of the skin. In two thirds of contact dermatitis cases the hands are involved because of sensitizing agents the sufferer has encountered at work and even the home. Common allergens are plants, chromate, formaldehyde, thiurams, ethylene diamine, and mercaptobenzothiazole.

One solution is to wear vinyl or plastic gloves for work that requires you to have your hands in water. Also, wear gloves when your hands will be exposed to anything that can irritate your skin. Wear cotton gloves under plastic gloves to soak up sweat from your hands. Take occasional breaks and remove your gloves to prevent a buildup of sweat inside your gloves. Wear gloves when you go outside during the winter. Cold air and low humidity can dry your skin, and dryness can make your eczema worse.

Common skin irritants include:
* Lemons
* Potatoes
* Household chemicals
* detergents