Everything you need to know about hand eczema: symptoms, causes, treatments.
Do you suffer from eczema on your hands? Discover our expert advice on how to understand, effectively soothe and prevent your redness.
Do you suffer from hand eczema? Hand eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, most often localized and causing red patches to appear. Discover BIODERMA's advice on how to care for your dry skin and restore your skin's moisture barrier.
What are the symptoms of hand eczema?
Hand eczema is an inflammatory condition that manifests itself mainly as intense dryness of the skin, accompanied by red patches and severe itching.
Eczema can look different from one person to another. Violet, brown or gray on darker skin tones, the rash is more pink or red on lighter skin tones.
The main symptoms of eczema are :
Dry skin Red patches (erythema) Itching Burning sensation Cracking or chapping of the skin Hardening and thickening of the skin Swelling and blistering Scaly or crusty skin
Once redness has appeared on the skin, an oedema usually forms, which then breaks down, oozes out and eventually dries to form scabs.
These symptoms can appear in several places on your skin, most notably on the hands.
In general, hand eczema appears in a context where other parts of the body are already affected by this pathology. This is known as atopic eczema or dermatitis of the hands.
In almost all cases, both hands are affected by atopic dermatitis, and the skin is extremely dry and scaly.
What causes hand eczema?
In addition to aggravating factors such as pollution, water and cold, there are other causes of hand eczema. Always exposed and in contact with various agents, hands are the parts of the body most prone to repeated irritation.
Contact eczema can be caused by irritation due to contact with a substance that alters the skin. This is known as contact eczema or irritant dermatitis. It can also be triggered by repeated contact with a substance, in which case we speak of allergic eczema or dermatitis.
The agents most often responsible for the onset of contact dermatitis are :
Cleaning products: laundry detergent, washing-up liquid, cleaning products Cosmetics and hygiene products: shower gel, wipes, nail polish, make-up, etc. Jewelry and metal objects: rings, watches, etc. Textiles: latex, rubber Dust and dust mites Smoke and pollutants Certain foods: peanuts, milk, eggs...
Lesion zones are generally limited to areas of the body in contact with the triggering factor.
When eczema is not confined to the hands, but involves redness and itching on other parts of the body, we speak of eczema or atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a hereditary disease that develops in childhood and can persist into adulthood. In the case of atopic eczema, the disease evolves in attacks, alternating between periods of calm and periods of remission.
Atopic hand eczema is one of the main forms of eczema, affecting around 10-20% of children.
Dishydrosis is another form of eczema, this time caused by excessive perspiration. Characterized by the formation of itchy, transparent bubbles, this type of eczema is the least common. It occurs mainly in the summer, when hot weather encourages perspiration.
No, hand eczema is not contagious; it cannot be transmitted by person-to-person contact. If you suffer from eczema, it's your immune system overreacting to environmental irritants and allergens.
What are the risk factors for hand eczema?
Eczema is caused by a number of factors, and affects everyone differently. What causes your symptoms may not trigger the same symptoms in someone else who also has hand eczema.
To treat hand eczema, preventive measures are the most effective, but depending on the type and severity of the disease, it may sometimes be necessary to resort to medication.
Treating contact eczema
To treat contact dermatitis, it's essential to be able to identify the allergen. Once you've identified the cause of your eczema, avoid all contact with it. Consult your dermatologist or allergist to carry out the tests needed to identify the agent responsible for your contact eczema.
Treating atopic eczema
In the case of atopic eczema, it's important to be accompanied by a dermatologist. In fact, several medications can be prescribed to control hand eczema and combat inflammation during periods of crisis:
Topical cortisone-based medications Anti-itch medications Anti-inflammatory medications Oral treatments for severe and chronic eczema
When eczema lesions become infected, your doctor may decide to use antibiotics.
Used over time and in the correct dose prescribed by your doctor, these medications are effective and safe for your health.
After treatment, it may take several weeks for the skin to return to its normal state.
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If your symptoms worsen after treatment or do not disappear, consult your doctor.
Complications are possible with eczema and may include oozing eczema, which causes fluid-filled blisters to form. Infected eczema is a form of complication and occurs when a bacterium, fungus or virus penetrates the skin to cause an infection.
Symptoms that indicate complications are usually associated with:
Fever and chills Clear, yellowish fluid leaking from the blisters Pain and swelling
Once the disease has stabilized, light therapy can be considered to improve the appearance of your skin and eliminate imperfections.
BIODERMA works with you every day to limit the risk of eczema appearing on your hands, and offers several products to restore your skin's moisture barrier and soothe tightness:
Daily skincare
Normal to dry, sensitive skin
Skin Protect™ Complex
Atoderm Crème Ultra
Ultra-nourishing and moisturising daily care. Strengthens the skin barrier.
For whom ?
For the entire family (with the exception of premature infants)
Daily skincare
Dry to very dry, sensitive skin
D.A.F.™ Patent
Atoderm Hands & nails
Non-sticky, non-greasy cream that visibly restores dry hands and nails.
For whom ?
Adults, Children
Daily skincare
Very dry to atopic, sensitive skin
Skin barrier therapy™ patent
Atoderm Intensive gel-cream
Intensively anti-itching ultra fresh nourishing care
For whom ?
Adults, Children, Babies
How to prevent hand eczema?
To prevent hand eczema, it's essential to adopt a skincare routine designed to restore the skin's moisture barrier. Use moisturizers for mild or sensitive skin whenever you have dry skin. Check that these products are hypoallergenic, fragrance- and dye-free, contain petroleum jelly or mineral oil, and do not include any preservatives or stabilizers.
If your work involves frequent hand-washing or contact with irritating products, remember to apply a protective cream before and during work, and wear gloves whenever possible.
There are other things you can do to prevent hand eczema:
- Don't wash your hands too regularly, and avoid irritating soaps or products
- Take baths or showers with lukewarm water
- Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly
- Wear loose-fitting clothes made of cotton and other natural materials
- Avoid irritants and allergens
- Use a humidifier if the air dries out your skin
- Use vinyl gloves rather than latex or rubber
- Protect your hands in winter against wind and cold
Eczema is not harmful to the rest of the body, and nearly half of all children with eczema experience improvement by adolescence. For others, eczema will continue to affect them throughout their lives. However, thanks to a number of remedies and a good skin care routine, it is largely possible to keep the disease under control.
Eczema is a chronic disease that can disappear and reappear unexpectedly.