Hand Eczema

What Is Hand Eczema?

Hand eczema, commonly called hand dermatitis, is a common inflammatory disorder that affects the skin on the hands, causing the skin to become inflamed, red, itchy, and painful on the palms and/or fingers. Eczema is a chronic condition, meaning that a person with eczema will likely have it throughout their life. However, symptoms of eczema come and go and can be managed with certain lifestyle changes and dermatology treatments. Hand eczema is fairly widespread and can occur at any age. This condition is not contagious, though hand eczema flare-ups can affect a person’s ability to perform regular, daily functions.

What Causes Hand Eczema?

The skin comprises an important part of the overall immune system, helping protect the body against infection and bacteria. In addition, skin contains specialized cells that actively destroy antigens, or invading foreign proteins, like bacteria and viruses. In people diagnosed with eczema, their immune system overreacts in the skin, causing it to become red, itchy, and inflamed. Both genetics and exposure of the skin to a wide range of irritants can play a role in triggering hand eczema. While the exact causes of hand eczema are widely unknown, research indicates genetic and environmental factors may lead to inflammation, resulting in an allergic reaction.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx eczema or dyshidrotic dermatitis, is a form of chronic hand eczema and foot eczema. Typically, dyshidrotic eczema is a chronic skin condition causing a burning, itching sensation on the skin. In severe cases, it may also cause a blistering rash on the palms of hands, sides of fingers, and the soles of feet. It is most common in individuals 20–40 years of age, though it may arise at any age. Dyshidrotic eczema is a specific skin inflammation that can cause mild-to-severe symptoms. In some cases, symptoms dissipate a few weeks after presenting. More often, however, this condition develops over many months or years.

Who Gets Hand Eczema?

Individuals who have eczema during childhood have a high likelihood of developing hand eczema. Additionally, it can also occur as an occupational skin condition, particularly among healthcare workers, food handlers, hairdressers, and others who come into frequent contact with chemicals, water, and other substances. Individuals with atopic dermatitis, those with allergies, those exposed to allergens or irritants, smokers, those receiving UV radiation, and those with overactive sweat glands may be at a higher risk of developing dyshidrotic eczema. Coming into contact with certain substances that cause allergic reactions and exposure to cold temperatures, dehydration, stress, and sweating can all irritate the skin and result in a flare-up.

Hand Eczema Symptoms

The affected areas of skin can feel hot, painful, rough, scaly, and itchy, and may develop small, itchy hand eczema blisters or painful cracks in the skin, resulting in pain when moving the fingers and hands. In hand dermatitis, the skin is inflamed, red, and swollen, with a damaged, dry, or scaly surface that may appear flaky. There can be cracked areas on the hands or fingers that bleed and ooze. In some cases, small blisters can be seen on the palms or the side of the fingers. Different areas of the hands may be affected, such as the skin between fingers, fleshy fingertips, or the center of the palms.

How Is Hand Eczema Diagnosed?

Our dermatologists in Gainesville can diagnose hand eczema by carefully examining the skin. Examining other body areas will confirm whether the eczema is isolated or a widespread skin condition. Identifying the specific cause of a person’s hand eczema involves identifying the pattern of dermatitis flare-ups and highlighting potential triggers. Techniques such as patch testing can be used to identify if a specific allergy causes allergic contact dermatitis. Factors considered when diagnosing eczema can include whether the condition is acute, relapsing or chronic; any past history of skin disease; whether or not dermatitis is present on other body areas; and the person’s occupation and hobbies. Determining the cause and triggers behind hand dermatitis can be complex as the condition may be multifactorial.  A biopsy and skin scrapings may be necessary to test and exclude other inflammation causes on the hands.

If you have extremely dry, painful, red, inflamed, or itchy hands and using moisturizer fails to bring you relief, it’s important to contact a trusted dermatology specialist to schedule an appointment for treatment. Without treatment and preventative measures, hand eczema tends to worsen in severity and symptoms.

What Are The Complications Of Hand Eczema?

Hand dermatitis may become infected with certain bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. When infected with either bacteria, the hands can develop more severe redness, soreness, crusting, bleeding, oozing, pustules, and lesions. When dermatitis affects the ends of the fingers or the fingertips, it may deform the nails and nail beds. In some cases, dermatitis can spread to other areas separate from the hands, such as the forearms and feet. Contact our office for additional information about the complications of hand dermatitis.

How To Treat Hand Eczema

In most cases, successful treatment for hand eczema can control symptoms of the condition but is not a cure. Early treatment may help patients avoid long-term issues related to hand dermatitis. In people suffering from allergic hand eczema, avoiding the allergen, or allergens, that cause flare-ups may aid in or even clear the hand dermatitis. There are multiple options available for hand dermatitis treatment, including prescription moisturizers, topical steroids, ultraviolet (UV) therapy or phototherapy, and wearing gloves, among other treatment protocols. For more information about your treatment options, please contact Dermatology Associates to schedule an appointment.