One chronic skin condition which may be particularly frustrating to deal with is hand eczema. It may start off as itchy patches of skin on the hand but can then progress over time to cause inflamed painful skin which may crack or even develop bumps which seep fluid. Hand eczema may be especially difficult to cope with and to treat because we use our hands so much. It can be difficult to give the skin a rest as we need our hands for most daily activities as well as for completing tasks related to our occupation. In this post we will explore the causes and symptoms for hand eczema and then what you can do to reduce flare ups or hopefully get rid of it once and for all.
Who gets hand eczema?
• People of all ages can develop hand eczema but the most common age for it to develop is between the ages of 2-39, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
• If you had eczema as a child or teen, you are more likely to continue to experience symptoms as an adult including developing hand eczema.
• You may be more prone to developing hand eczema if there is a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema in your family. Having a personal or family history of asthma or hay fever also increases your risks.
• Certain occupations increase the chance for hand eczema to develop and become a chronic problem due to frequent immersion of the hands in water or chronic exposure to harsh chemicals. Some of these occupations may include: Painting, catering, hairdressing, healthcare, metalwork, cleaning, and some types of mechanical work.
What are the symptoms of hand eczema?
• Reddened, dry, and easily chapped skin covering any area of the hand including the backs or palms.
• Scaley inflamed patches of skin that itch.
• Itchy bumps and blisters which may crack open and weep fluid.
• If there is a bacterial infection there may be pain and the skin may crust over.
• Hand eczema which goes untreated may result in the eczema spreading to other locations, especially the forearms and feet.
• In some cases hand eczema can result in causing damage to the fingernails.
What causes hand eczema?
Causes may range from genetics to overexposure of the hands to certain chemicals. Frequent immersion of the hands in water can also trigger the symptoms of hand eczema. In some cases the culprit can be some sort of allergy. If your hand eczema does not go away over time and progresses in severity despite treatment, your doctor may send you to get patch testing for allergies.
One common allergy causing substance for many people is the added fragrance to soaps, lotions, and detergents. Other people may be allergic to chemicals such as Bronopol, which can still be found in some cosmetics and personal care items. For a more thorough list of ingredients or chemicals which can cause or exacerbate the symptoms of hand eczema please refer to the informational page found on the National Eczema Association website.
