Eczema is a dermatitis that can cause pain and discomfort in any part of the body, but if localized to the hands it can be even more problematic. If it's caused by an irritant, allergen, or genetic factors, you can take some steps to treat it. One of the first things to do is see your doctor to make sure it's actually eczema. He will likely go through some diagnostic tests to determine which irritants or allergens may be causing the problem. Once the cause is established, he or she may prescribe a corticosteroid cream, antibiotics, cold packs, and advise you to change the products you use every day. Read on to learn more about how to treat hand eczema.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Eczema
Step 1. Pay attention to the symptoms
Eczema is a rather common problem when it is localized on the hands and fingers. If you have this suspicion, consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. It could actually be eczema if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Redness;
- Itching;
- Ache;
- Severe skin dryness;
- Cracks;
- Vesicles.
Step 2. Determine if the cause is an irritant
Irritative contact dermatitis is the most common form of hand eczema. It is caused by frequent and prolonged exposure to substances that alter the health of the skin. This could be anything that comes into repeated contact with your hands, including detergents, chemicals, food, metals, plastics, and even water. Symptoms that accompany this kind of eczema include:
- Cracks and redness on the fingertips and in the interdigital spaces;
- Itching and burning when you touch irritants.
Step 3. Consider if it can be caused by an allergy
Some people suffer from a form of eczema referred to in medicine as "allergic contact dermatitis". In this case, the cause is attributable to an allergy to substances such as soaps, dyes, perfumes, rubber or even plants. Symptoms are often localized in the palm of the hand and fingertips, but can appear anywhere else on the hand. Symptoms include:
- Blisters, itching, swelling, and redness shortly after exposure to the allergen
- Crusting, peeling and cracking;
- Darkening and / or thickening of the skin after prolonged exposure to the allergen.
Step 4. Determine if the cause is atopic dermatitis
This type of eczema is more common in children than in adults, but the latter can also be affected. If you have symptoms on other parts of your body in addition to your hands, it is most likely atopic dermatitis. Symptoms include:
- Severe itching for days or weeks
- Skin thickening;
- Skin lesions.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Hand Eczema
Step 1. See your doctor immediately to get a diagnosis
Before starting any type of treatment, you should consult your doctor to make sure that it is indeed eczema and not another condition, such as psoriasis or a fungal infection. He will point out the most effective therapy to defeat the problem and can also recommend a specialist if the eczema is severe.
Step 2. Determine if you need to undergo allergy tests
To determine the cause of eczema, your doctor may order a patch test to check for any inflammatory reaction. If you suspect eczema is caused by an allergy, consult your doctor to find out if allergy tests are appropriate. The results will help you know which substances are causing the problem so you can avoid them.
- The test is performed by applying adhesive pads containing one or more substances with allergenic potential to the skin in order to determine which ones trigger eczema. It is not dangerous, but it can cause some pain and irritation due to the agents used and the way they react in contact with the skin.
- Nickel is a fairly common irritant and, therefore, a major cause of allergic contact dermatitis. The patch test can check for an allergy to this metal.
- Try to compile a list of the products you regularly use in direct or indirect contact with your hands. For example, it could include soaps, moisturizers, household cleaning products, and any particular substances that you are used to using in your work or home routine.
Step 3. Consider using 1% hydrocortisone ointment
Your doctor may prescribe it to treat eczema. You can also buy her without a prescription, however ask her for her opinion if you don't know which one to choose.
- In most cases, hydrocortisone ointments should be applied when the skin is still damp, such as after showering or after washing hands. In any case, follow your doctor's instructions.
- Sometimes it may also be necessary to use ointments with a higher concentration of corticosteroids, but in this case a doctor's prescription is advisable.
Step 4. Use a cold pack to relieve itching
Eczema often causes severe itching, but you shouldn't scratch to relieve it, otherwise the problem can worsen with the further risk of getting skin lesions that can lead to infections. If your hands are itchy, use a cold pack instead to soothe the discomfort.
- To make a cold pack, wrap a towel or paper towel around the ice pack or plastic bag filled with ice.
- You can also shorten and file your nails to avoid scratching yourself and aggravating your condition.
Step 5. Consider taking an oral antihistamine
In some cases, oral antihistamines help treat eczema of the hands. Keep in mind that they can cause drowsiness, so you shouldn't take them during the day or when you have a lot of things to do. Ask your doctor if these medicines can be an effective solution to your problem.
Step 6. Ask your doctor if you need to take an antibiotic
Sometimes eczema can promote infections from blisters, cracks, and lesions. If your skin is red, swollen, sore, or hot and doesn't respond to any treatment, it could be an infection. In these cases, ask your doctor if you need to take an antibiotic to treat it.
- Take antibiotics only under medical prescription, otherwise their effectiveness may decrease when needed.
- Follow all antibiotic therapy as directed by your doctor. Even if the infection appears to have healed, it may come back and be more aggressive and difficult to eradicate if you don't take the drug according to your doctor's instructions.
Step 7. Ask your doctor if you need a specific medication
In some cases, over-the-counter topical creams have a mild action against eczema of the hands, and the changes made in daily life do not produce the desired effects either. In such circumstances, your doctor may prescribe a systemic (rather than topical) corticosteroid or immunosuppressant. However, as these medications can trigger negative side effects, they should only be considered if you have tried to defeat eczema by other means but to no avail.
Step 8. Ask your doctor if a topical immunomodulator is needed
If the dermatitis does not respond to any treatment, consult your doctor to find out if a cream based on an immunomodulating agent is right for you. It is a drug that changes the way the immune system reacts to certain substances, so it can be useful if nothing works.
Generally they are creams that have no particular contraindications, but in rare cases they can produce serious side effects, so they should be considered only as a last resort
Step 9. Ask your doctor about phototherapy
Some skin diseases, including eczema, respond well to phototherapy, a treatment based on the use of ultraviolet rays in the dermatological field. It is preferable to use it if treatments with topical preparations have not produced the desired results, but before following systemic therapy.
Phototherapy is effective in 60-70% of patients, but it may take several months of regular treatment before any improvement is noticed
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Hand Eczema
Step 1. Reduce exposure to triggers
Once allergy tests are done, you will learn about the factors that cause or aggravate dermatitis. Do everything you can to avoid exposing yourself to prevent further episodes of eczema. Change your household cleaning detergents, ask someone to handle foods that can trigger unwanted reactions on your skin for you, or wear gloves to protect your hands from certain substances.
Step 2. Choose fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers and harsh dyes
Hand eczema can also be caused by dyes and fragrances contained in soaps and moisturizers. So, stay away from beauty products with artificial fragrances or colors. Opt for those made for sensitive or absolutely natural skin. Don't use body cleansers or moisturizers if they are likely to flare up the problem.
- Consider using plain petroleum jelly instead of moisturizer. It is less likely to cause reactions and can also have a stronger moisturizing action.
- Don't wash your hands too often. While it is important to remove the irritants they are exposed to, frequent cleaning can aggravate the problem. So, avoid washing them if they aren't dirty.
Step 3. Keep your hands dry
If they are very often damp or wet, the risk of developing eczema is higher. If you spend a lot of time washing dishes or doing things that stay wet, try to reduce the number of times you soak them or avoid getting them in contact with water as much as possible. For example, you could use the dishwasher instead of washing the dishes in the sink, or at least wear gloves to avoid getting them wet.
- Dry them immediately after washing or bathing them. Make sure they are completely dry.
- Take shorter showers to reduce the time they stay in contact with water.
Step 4. Hydrate them often
A good moisturizer is essential to prevent an eczema flare-up. Choose a product that doesn't irritate your skin. In these cases, ointments are usually the best choice, they have a very effective emollient action and cause less burning and itching on the irritated skin. Always keep a tube or jar of moisturizer with you to make sure you apply it. Moisturize your hands every time you wash them or they start to dry out.
Ask your doctor to prescribe a protective emollient cream. It may be much more effective than regular store-bought moisturizers
Step 5. Wear a pair of cotton-lined gloves if you expose your hands to allergens or irritants
If you can't help but come into contact with chemicals and other substances that irritate your skin, get a pair of cotton-lined rubber gloves to protect it. Wear them whenever you expose your hands to products that can irritate them.
- If necessary, wash them with a fragrance and dye-free detergent. Place them inside out and hang them up to dry thoroughly before using them again.
- Make sure you have two pairs of different gloves, one for cleaning and the other for cooking.
Step 6. Remove the rings if you need to expose your hands to allergens or chemicals
Rings can aggravate eczema because they retain any irritants that inevitably remain in contact with the skin. As a result, the problem is likely to worsen in the underlying and surrounding skin areas. Remember to take them off before washing, moisturizing or exposing your hands to triggers.
Step 7. Ask your doctor if you can treat eczema with bleach
A bleach solution diluted with water can help reduce bacterial growth on your hands by relieving eczema. Of course, if this substance is a trigger, absolutely avoid it. Consult your doctor before deciding whether to use it for this purpose.
- Remember that the bleach indicated for this treatment must be diluted in a large amount of water. Only use about 1/2 teaspoon for a quart of water.
- Be careful not to spill it on clothing, rugs, or any other material that could become discolored.
Step 8. Control your stress
In some cases, eczema can recur or worsen due to stress. To eliminate this risk, learn some relaxation techniques and practice them in your daily life. When you're done working out, take time to relax. Some relaxing activities to try include yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation.
Advice
- Get a bedroom humidifier, especially during the drier seasons. You can relieve the symptoms of eczema by keeping the air more humid.
- See your doctor if the problem gets worse or doesn't improve despite treatment.
- Keep in mind that it takes time to heal from eczema and will likely never go away completely. Try to figure out which treatments are most effective and keep following them until the situation improves.
