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How To Cure Eczema On Hands

Natural Eczema Treatment: 13 Home Remedies For Eczema

How to cure Eczema on hands

By Kathleen McCoy, BS

May 30, 2017

Is your skin red, dry, scaly and extremely itchy? Have you been diagnosed with eczema? The skin condition eczema is believed to affect over 30 million Americans. So, what is eczema? In fact, eczema isnt a single condition it is actually a group of skin conditions that includes atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema and stasis dermatitis. Finding a soothing, natural eczema treatment can be life-changing for those suffering from this frustrating condition.

Eczema typically first appears in very young children with research finding that 65 percent of cases occur before infants hit their first birthday, and 90 percent of those affected have their first cases before they turn 5 years old. Of further concern is that eczema in children is becoming more and more common. Diseases eczema can resemble include psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis, but its a different condition.

A study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center found that 39 percent of Caucasian children develop eczema by 3 years old. Interestingly, this same study found children that have a dog in the home are significantly less likely to develop eczema at any age.

What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.

Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.

Surprising Ways Parents Make Eczema Itchier

Some itch-relieving techniques that people use can make eczema itchier. To prevent this, dermatologists recommend that you avoid:

  • Telling your child to stop scratching: This rarely works and can leave your child feeling stressed. Stress can cause eczema to flare.

  • Using anti-itch products: This may seem strange, but anti-itch products often fail to relieve itchy eczema. To make matters worse, some contain ingredients that can cause eczema to flare. Only use an anti-itch product if your childs dermatologist recommends one.

  • Also Check: Is Citric Acid Bad For Eczema

    What Foods Should I Eat Or Avoid To Reduce My Risk Of Eczema

    The connection between eczema and food allergies is unclear. If you have food allergies, then one of the reasons why you must avoid that food is that it may cause or worsen dermatitis. Examples of common allergies include peanuts, dairy, eggs, sugar, alcohol and gluten. Pay attention to what you eat. If your eczema flares up after you eat a certain food, then you might have an allergy to it.

    If you dont have a food allergy then there are no foods, including chicken, that will cause or worsen your eczema.

    Dont Hesitate To Reach Out To Your Dermatologist If You Are Having Troublesome Symptoms

    What are the Causes of Eczema on Hands? #eczemadiet ...

    Many healthcare professionals are using telemedicine to consult with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, notes Elbuluk. This can involve video chat, text messaging, or inbox messaging with your doctor. It may also include uploading photos or videos of your affected areas of skin. Find out which portal or app your doctor uses and whether it is HIPAA-compliant, which will protect the privacy of your health information.

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors may have more leeway to communicate with patients using non-HIPAA-compliant platforms like Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, or Skype without government penalties. After all, not all medical practices were set up for current telemedicine needs before the pandemic.

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    Clinical Perspective And Future Directions

    While the spectrum of therapeutic options for CHE has expanded in recent years, this condition is still an open challenge for physicians and patients alike. The limited number of effective therapeutics, the relapsing-remitting course of the disease, along with the low compliance to therapy, represent unmet needs with deleterious impacts on patients quality of life. In light of the multiple pathogenetic factors at play in CHE , the therapeutic flowchart encompassing topical, phototherapy, and systemic treatments should be actively followed by the physician in order to ensure an effective intervention. Physicians should also encourage simultaneous preventative and hygiene measures, including hand moisturizing, avoiding excessive washing, and using mild-strength soaps and washes. These measures are synergistic with the use of topical and systemic drugs.

    Thus, while topical treatments still find space in the treatment of mild CHE, systemic therapy should be discussed at the early stage with moderate-to-severe CHE patients, before the condition worsens. The broad immunomodulators azathioprine and cyclosporine, in addition to retinoids, are accepted as off-label treatments of CHE, but their use is compromised by severe long-term side effects. With the advent of more targeted therapies such as small molecules and biologics, we can modify the treatment paradigm of CHE, but more research into their efficacy across CHE phenotypes is needed.

    What Causes Eczema On Hands

    Eczema and hand dermatitis flares up when skin becomes hypersensitive to external factors. Those factors are many, and they can include exposure to chemicals like soap or detergent, the weather, pets, allergies and more. Eczema flare-ups can also be caused by hormones, stress and other internal factors, as well. There are many types of eczema, but the most common is atopic dermatitis.

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    Try To Reduce The Damage From Scratching

    Eczema is often itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin.

    But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur.

    The skin eventually thickens into leathery areas as a result of chronic scratching.

    Deep scratching also causes bleeding and increases the risk of your skin becoming infected or scarred.

    Try to reduce scratching whenever possible. You could try gently rubbing your skin with your fingers instead.

    If your baby has atopic eczema, anti-scratch mittens may stop them scratching their skin.

    Keep your nails short and clean to minimise damage to the skin from unintentional scratching.

    Keep your skin covered with light clothing to reduce damage from habitual scratching.

    Do Stay Hydrated Inside And Out

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    Stay indoors with a humidifier. Keep your ambient environment moist so that the moisture will help your skin, advises Desai, adding, Drink lots and lots of water. Dehydration can lead to dry skin, which in turn can compromise your skin barrier, notes the NEA, making you more vulnerable to flare-ups if cracks and fissures form.

    Read Also: What To Do For Bad Eczema Breakout

    Top Suggestions For How To Treat Eczema Blisters On Hands

    I didnt know this at the time, but it turns out there are actually two types of weeping eczema: primary and secondary. Primary types refer to the blistering types of eczema, such as dysrodhitc eczema, nummular eczema or discoid eczema. These can vary from just one or two blisters, or small crops of more than three.

    Whats The Difference Between Dermatitis And Psoriasis

    Psoriasis and dermatitis can appear similar. Both cause patches of red skin. However, in psoriasis, the scales are thick and the edges of those scales are well-defined.

    Discuss with your healthcare provider your questions about which type of skin condition you have. You can have more than one skin condition at a time. Treatments for one may not work for the other.

    Read Also: Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Eczema

    Deeply Moisturize Dry Cracked Skin

    Cracks and open areas are one of the biggest problems when you have weeping eczema. Staph A bacteria cause the most damage when they get underneath the skins tissues. When your skin cracks, it will draw in more bacteria, and it can also set-off alarm bells with your immune system!

    It goes without saying that when you have weeping skin, it is NOT the time to do a moisturizer withdrawal

    A moisturizer withdrawal wont be effective if you have a bacterial problem. It can just make things worse! Save that for later, when your skin is no longer cracked and under attack by bacteria.

    For now, your skin needs all the moisture it can get!

    Avoid Harsh Detergent For Washing

    Best Cures For Eczema On Hands

    Washing and cleaning are our daily activities. Unfortunately, most detergent powder contains toxic chemicals, artificial fragrances, preservatives, and chemical dye. These entire components react to our skin and make it drier.

    As a result, eczema and skin rash are quite a regular occurrence. So choose your laundry detergent wisely, which is chemical-free.

    Recommended Reading: Best Beauty Products For Eczema

    Tips To Treat Hand Eczema

    1. If you have a full flare of hand eczema, moisturizer alone is not going to be enough. You need to shut down the underlying inflammation by applying high potency steroids along with thick moisturizers .

    Do not use moisturizers that are lotion or creams, because they have surfactants, emulsifiers, and preservatives. These agents can irritate the skin causing stinging, pain and worsening the hand dermatitis.

    Also, limit the frequency and duration of steroids use to the hands. If you notice the hand eczema is improving, slowly taper the steroids, meaning use less amount and apply less frequently.

    2. Before going to sleep, soak hands in lukewarm water to soften the skin a bit. Pat the hands dry with a towel. Do not rub the hands vigorously with the towel. Do not over dry it either.

    Apply a thick layer of ointment or balm to coat the whole hands. Wear cotton gloves to bed. This combination traps the water, moisture and natural lipids/oil to hands.

    3. Consider getting a patch test to make sure you have no new allergies.

    4. Watch out for potential infection. If your hands are red, swollen, or hot to touch, you may have an infection. Consider seeing your physician as you may need antibiotics.

    What Does Eczema On Hands Look Like

    Eczema is usually characterized by red, scaly areas, bumps or thicker, leathery patches of skin. It is common to see eczema on fingers as well as fingertip eczema. You also may find eczema between fingers. Its like other skin conditions, like psoriasis. Since eczema is so easily confused with other skin conditions, you should consult with a dermatologist if youre unsure if youre suffering from eczema.

    Recommended Reading: Eczema In 2 Month Old

    Some Basic Things You Can Do At Work To Help Control Your Hand Eczema:

    • Avoid allergens or irritating substances in products you use on the job like industrial hand cleansers or waterless, antibacterial cleansers that may trigger your hand eczema, or make it worse. These often contain ingredients like alcohol and solvents, that are very hard on your hands, especially during flare-ups.
    • Protect your hands at work with a combination of heavy-duty vinyl or neoprene gloves and cotton glove liners. Regularly wash cotton liners and vinyl gloves if they arent disposable.
    • Always carry your own hand cleanser, moisturizer and medication with you, wherever you go.
    • Keep your clothes, protective gear, tools and work surfaces clean and free of residue from irritating substances.
    • Treat wounds on your hands and bandage them in order to avoid irritation from allergens or chemical substances.

    Your doctor may also prescribe a barrier repair cream, or topical steroid to help speed up healing.

    How Is Eczema Treated What Medications Are Used

    How to Cure Hand Eczema Naturally without Cortisone creams or Steroids.

    Treating eczema can be difficult if the cause is something you cant control, like genetics. Fortunately, you may have some influence over your environment and stress levels. Do your best to figure out what triggers or worsens your eczema, and then avoid it. The goal is to reduce itching and discomfort and prevent infection and additional flare-ups.

    Consider these treatment tips:

    If your child has skin problems, such as eczema, you can:

    • Avoid long, hot baths, which can dry the skin. Use lukewarm water instead and give your child sponge baths.
    • Apply lotion immediately after bathing while the skin is still moist. This will help trap moisture in the skin.
    • Keep the room temperature as regular as possible. Changes in room temperature and humidity can dry the skin.
    • Keep your child dressed in cotton. Wool, silk and manmade fabrics such as polyester can irritate the skin.
    • Use mild laundry soap and make sure that clothes are well rinsed.
    • Watch for skin infections. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice an infection.
    • Help them avoid rubbing or scratching the rash.
    • Use moisturizers several times daily. In infants with eczema, moisturizing on a regular basis is extremely helpful.

    Also Check: Itchy Bumps On Skin Eczema

    Clinical Patterns Of Hand Eczema

    There are different patterns of hand eczema which differ only clinically, not histologically. Several clinical variants of hand dermatitis have been described, including hyperkeratotic , frictional, nummular, atopic, pompholyx , and chronic vesicular hand dermatitis. Hybrids of these patterns exist and some experts do not agree on classifications.

    Many published classifications involve a combination of etiological factors and morphological features . However, no single classification of hand eczema is satisfactory.

    Everyday Things That Can Trigger Eczema

    The factors are

  • Dry skinandIrritants There are several products that we use daily that can cause our skin to swallow and inflamed. Such as:
    • Metals like Nickel
    • Personal care products.
    • Specific fabrics like polyester or wool.

    2. Stress Another factor for eczema is stress. Life is incomplete without stress. Each human has stress in their life. But too much stress can lead to eczema.

    3. Defects in skin structure that lock the way for the moisturizer to penetrate inside but allow the pathogen to enter inside the skin

    4. Children are likely to develop eczema if they

    • Live in an urban or polluted area.
    • Live in cold climatic conditions.

    5. Daily Activity: Sometimes, our daily activities may cause eczema. The activities are

    • Prolonged exposure to water.
    • Become too hot or too cold.
    • Not using proper moisture.
    • Living in arid climates all year round.

    6. Eczema can also start with certain chronic conditions that affect or weaken our immunity power. For example, the chronic conditions that can worsen an eczema flare are

    • The cold or flu infection.
    • Bacterial infection.
    • Any types of allergic reaction from dust, smoke, pollen, or pets.

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    Getting To The Root Of All Weeping

    Im going to mainly focus on secondary weeping in this article, as this is the one that affects a lot of eczema sufferers. Now you might have heard things about weeping eczema before like: its just your body pushing out toxins, you need to detoxify your blood, or the weeping is normal. I used to think some of these things myself, however as it turns out, many of these statements arent all that accurate.

    Let me explain.

    On your skin there lives a thriving community of bacteria, called Staphylococcus Aureus These are located in heavy concentrations around your nose, mouth, ears, privates, as well as just on your skin itself.

    According to research, the BIGGEST factor that causes weeping on your skin, is due to these bacteria.

    Now dont worry, just because you have this bacteria, doesnt mean you have MRSA . Actually Staphylococcus Aureus is a harmless bacteria that lives on the surface of everyones skin.

    Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, helps us manage these bacteria, by blessing our skin with natural antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides, that help to keep these staph A bacteria under control. Research shows that these natural antimicrobial peptides, help prevent against the colonisation of staph on the skin.

    Studies show that many eczema sufferers tend to have impaired skin barriers, which means that along with your skin being more prone to dryness, you are also lacking natural antibiotics to keep these skin bacteria at bay.

    Here are some facts:

    Conlcusion: Follow The Steps Above To Get Rid Of Weeping Eczema

    12 Natural Cure For Eczema On Hands

    Well there you have it, I really hope that you liked this article and that it helped you understand more about the causes of weeping eczema, and most importantly, what to do about it.

    I had couple of situations where my primary eczema turned into a bacteria colonization, so along with my program, I tried to incorporate all of the above into my skin routine.

    Here is how I got rid of my weeping eczema:

    First, I would clean the areas with cotton and saline solution, gently removing any yellow crusts where those bacteria lived.

    Then, I took more cotton and dipped them in a solution of Epsom salts + water. I placed this on my weeping areas, and let them soak in all the water!

    After pat drying the area, I applied a lotion moisturizer around the weeping areas where my skin was badly cracked. I also put a layer directly on the areas itself, to thoroughly hydrate the area.

    Finally, I got my 10 minutes of sunlight and then followed up again with more moisturizer as my skin was very cracked at the time.

    Doing the steps above, helped the weeping stop within DAYS. Which is why I wanted to share this with you! As someone who struggled with this for years, it makes me want to help others who might have it too.

    Hopefully, this article helps you finally know what causes it and what to do about it.

    How do you deal with weeping eczema? Did these tips help you? Leave me a comment below!

    PS: Don’t know where to start? Sign up to my free series The Clear Skin Plan !

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