Eczema skin disease can occur on any area of the body, this includes the skin of the hands! It can have many causes and depends on which area is most exposed to the factor. Generally, eczema is inflammatory and can cause an uncomfortable rash. The areas of the hands that are often affected include the hands, fingers, and wrists. Why does this happen and what is the solution for us? We recommend that you read this article carefully, Sereni-Trees!
Recognize 7 Symptoms of Eczema on Hand Skin
We might say that eczema is one of the most common skin diseases. However, it’s more than just “regular” dry skin! If you experience dryness on your skin and it doesn’t show signs of improving with moisturizer, it could be eczema! Based on a study from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the symptoms of eczema on the skin of the hands, for example:
- A rash that can be red, purple-brown, or dark brown in color (color variations depend on the skin tone
- Mild to severe itching
- Scaly and cracked skin
- Small blisters that may itch or burn
- Deep cracks in the skin (may bleed, depending on severity)
- Wounds on the hands (potentially crusty / oozing)
- Dry skin
Keep in mind that the severity of these symptoms can vary from individual to individual. So, it’s best to address and consult a professional as soon as symptoms appear! The sooner, the better!
3 Types of Hand Eczema and Their Symptoms
Well, there are roughly 3 most common types of eczema that can appear on our hand area. For example:
- Atopic Dermatitis (AD)
For some people, hand skin eczema may be associated with more widespread allergic eczema. If this happens, the eczema could be a symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), which tends to be hereditary. If Sereni-Trees has skin rashes along with allergies or asthma, you may also have AD.
AD itself is the most common type of eczema! It usually develops before the age of 5, but eczema rashes can come and go throughout our lifetime. The most common symptom is an itchy feeling. But if we scratch a lot, it can cause the skin to crack and change color. In some cases, symptoms can be so severe that they interfere with daily activities and even insomnia! How scary!
- Contact Dermatitis (Irritation)
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs when the skin reacts negatively to contact with a foreign substance. This reaction can happen almost immediately. Substances that can cause contact dermatitis include fragrances, chemicals, metals, cleaning solutions, and more. In addition, eczema can also develop due to the use of latex gloves or sensitivity to certain foods such as citrus fruits.
People in certain professions have a higher risk of developing hand skin eczema. Examples include hairdressers, healthcare workers, cooks, construction workers, plumbers, janitors, and machine operators.
- Dyshidrotic Eczema (Pompholyx)
Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx, is a type of eczema that only affects the hands and feet. Symptoms of this type of eczema include blisters on the palms, fingers, or soles of the feet. Dyshidrotic eczema can also cause the skin to crack and bleed. The blisters from this eczema can last for 3 to 4 weeks but before the blisters appear, some people may feel a burning or tingling sensation on the skin.
Those are the 3 types of eczema that can appear on our hands. Have Sereni-Trees experienced similar symptoms?
What is the Solution?
There’s a solution for everything! One of the first steps in treating hand skin eczema is to avoid the cause if possible. Tip from Serenitree: frequently apply moisturizing hand cream without fragrances and preservatives to help the skin heal. Product recommendation: Serenitree anti aging hand cream (no SLS, artificial fragrance, parabens and phthalates).
If symptoms are getting worse, consider consulting a dermatologist to discuss treatment options. For example, if the skin on your hands is very dry or cracked due to eczema, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical steroid cream to reduce the underlying inflammation. Topical steroid creams are usually only used for short-term treatment as they can make the skin thinner.
However, if a dermatologist suspects allergies or AD are triggering hand eczema, other solutions include oral antihistamines to help prevent inflammation associated with allergic reactions. Sometimes, very dry and cracked hands or blisters may lead to infection. In such cases, the doctor may also prescribe antibiotics in addition to other eczema therapies.
Again, depending on the underlying cause, sometimes the medical solution could be certain injections that might help treat eczema (including allergy shots and other medications).
Instead of misdiagnosing yourself, it’s better to take it to a professional immediately!
Handling Tips During the Healing Period
In addition to regularly using a gentle natural lotion such as Serenitree anti aging hand cream, you can take the steps below to help the healing process of eczema on the hand area:
- Routinely apply hand cream immediately after washing hands
- Wash hands with cold or lukewarm water and use unscented soap (recommendation: Serenitree body wash travel size)
- Dry hands by gently patting, not rubbing them with a towel
- Apply moisturizer to hands before bed and wear cotton gloves for better absorption.
- Keep nails short and clean to prevent cuts from scratching.
Meanwhile, also avoid direct contact with irritants such as detergents, fragrances or other chemicals. If you are allergic, avoid the possible cause of the allergy. Last but not least, try to manage stress. Excess stress can worsen eczema symptoms!
In conclusion, the process of healing eczema is not easy. The most crucial part is identifying the underlying cause. Therefore, Sereni-Trees makes sure to consult the symptoms of eczema so as not to make mistakes in handling it. With proper treatment, eczema symptoms can definitely improve or disappear (it does not rule out the possibility of recurrence in the future). Hope this article helps!