Why Does Eczema Appear On The Hands
There can be a variety of reasons why eczema appears on the hands. For example, the hands can be affected by irritant or allergic contact dermatitis or both at the same time.
Coming into contact with irritants such as dust, detergents, cleaning agents, airborne sprays or even just frequent hand-washing can cause irritant hand eczema . The skin on the palms of the hands is much thicker than elsewhere on the body and is normally able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. But in people who regularly immerse their hands in detergents or solvents, the protective barrier of the skin breaks down, and eczema may develop. People who have this form of hand eczema often have a history of eczema in childhood.
Allergic hand eczema arises as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular substance in the environment. It is possible to be allergic to a number of different substances, but common causes of contact sensitivity include nickel, fragrances, preservative chemicals, rubber and various plants, amongst other things. Once a persons immune system has identified a substance as harmful, they will react to the substance every time their skin is exposed to it, and this reaction becomes more severe on every exposure to the allergen.
When an allergic reaction of this kind is suspected, your GP should refer you to a dermatologist, who will normally perform patch tests to try to identify the allergic cause.
Trigger : Exposure To Allergens Or Irritants
Hand eczema is often caused or worsened by exposure to a substance thats irritating think alcohol, bleach, cleansers or solvents or one that causes an allergic reaction, such as perfume or certain plants. Florists often get dermatitis on their thumb and forefinger when clipping chrysanthemums and tulips . In the kitchen, vegetables particularly garlic and onion can lead to a flare-up, especially on the fingertips. Even fabric can exacerbate hand eczema. Rough, coarse materials such as wool and stiff synthetics such as polyester can trigger an itch-scratch cycle that worsens the condition.
How to dodge it: Pay attention to what sets off your eczema. Whether youre at home or on the job, learn what irritates your skin and avoid or limit contact with those things, advised Dr. OBrien. Use a washing machine, dishwasher, and food processor when possible and ask other family members for help with housework, cooking and gardening to give your hands a break. Protect your hands from irritants and allergens by wearing vinyl or cotton gloves while you do chores. Wear heavy-duty vinyl or neoprene gloves at work if youre exposed to triggers there. If the gloves you have irritate your skin, ask your dermatologist for recommendations.
What Ingredients Are Best To Help Treat Eczema
Eczema is a clinical dysfunction of the skin barrier, Dr. Libby notes. As such, genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors contribute to its flare-up, but its a priority to repair the skin barrier. Namely, ingredients to help reverse eczematic effects are humectants, emollients and occlusive moisturizers.
According to Dr. Libby, humectants help add moisture back to the skin, while emollients add back oils, lubricating and softening the skin. Occlusive moisturizers work to prevent transepidermal water loss .
Common humectants are glycerin, lactic acid, urea and hyaluronic acid, Dr. Libby adds. Emollients examples are glycol and glyceryl stearate, soy sterols, squalane, and oils like jojoba, sweet almond, etc. Common occlusives are petrolatum, dimethicone, shea butter and mineral oil.
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What Triggers Eczema On The Hands
Experts arent sure why some people develop eczema on their hands. What they do know is that eczema happens when the skin barrier, which acts as a shield, is damaged.2 A healthy skin barrier is important because it locks in moisture and prevents irritants or allergens from penetrating the deeper layers of skin.3 Once you develop hand eczema, you may have times of relief, meaning very few symptoms, as well as periods of flare-ups. Anything that irritates your skin can trigger hand eczema: allergies, detergents, soaps, and even water because it zaps moisture from your skin, according to the AAD.
Stress can also play a role. Hand eczema can flare up if youre really stressed, Henry Wong, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, tells SELF. In fact, people who reported higher levels of stress had more severe symptoms compared to people with lower stress levels, according to a 2019 study of 119 people published in Hindawi.4
When it comes to dyshidrotic eczema, the cause is also a mystery. But researchers believe that people who have it are hypersensitive to certain things, such as nickel, and have a flare-up of symptoms when exposed to their sensitivities, according to the AAD.
Avoiding your triggers as much as possible is an important part of a hand eczema treatment plan.
Wash Eczema On Hands Properly
Hand eczema can be exacerbated by improper hand washing, so altering your routine ensures clean hands without the discomfort. Use warm water, never hot, and when possible, simply rinse with water instead of bringing soap into the mix. When you have to use soap, stick to the simplest soap possible, such as agrass-fed tallow soap or other all-natural eczema soap. Do not be afraid to try different options to see which are best for you when learning how to treat hand eczema.Once your hands are clean, use a soft cloth to pat them dry gently – do not rub. While the eczema on your hands is slightly damp, immediately apply an effective natural eczema cream to restore the hydration that is stripped away during hand washing.
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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.
Do Moisturize Your Hands After You Clean Them
The minute that someones done with washing their hands they should moisturize, and thats a step that people skip a lot, notes Elbuluk. Its particularly important for people with eczema, since dry skin can create irritation, make skin more vulnerable to bacteria, and trigger flare-ups, notes the NEA. Elbuluk explains: I usually recommend that you keep a bottle of moisturizer right next to your sink, or if your job requires you to be out of the house then keep it in your bag or purse or whatever you take with you. Have a moisturizer with you at all times.
She recommends thicker moisturizers, such as ointments that are petrolatum- or mineral oilbased, or creams. Petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, products like that are really going to give you the most for locking in moisturize. She also advises that you opt for fragrance- and dye-free moisturizers. Fragrance and dyes can irritate skin and trigger flare-ups.
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Moisturize Your Hands After Washing
Washing your hands strips away the natural oils on your skin, which can exacerbate the dryness, itchiness, and other symptoms of eczema.
Look for a rich hand cream or ointment with high oil content. Ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides help your skin to maintain and attract moisture, says Fishman. Petroleum jelly is also very effective at locking in moisture.
Quick tip: Leaving your hand cream or ointment by the sink can help you remember to use it every time you wash your hands.
Fishman also recommends applying moisturizer before you go to sleep at night and wearing cotton gloves to help your skin better absorb it.
Best Overall Eczema Treatment
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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. Itâs like other skin conditions, like psoriasis. Since eczema is so easily confused with other skin conditions, you should consult with a dermatologist if youâre unsure if youâre suffering from eczema.
Determine Food Allergies Or Intolerances
Food allergy can be a trigger of eczema, especially if the onset or worsening of eczema correlates with exposure to the food. Its important to monitor for vomiting, diarrhea and failure to thrive, as infants with eczema and a food allergy may have these additional findings.
In children and adults, it might be best to start with an elimination diet, the gold standard for identifying food sensitivities, for up to 4-6 weeks. This process of an elimination diet to work toward healing eczema internally is best done in phases and guided by a functional medicine practitioner, like those at Parsley Health. The phases include eliminating common allergens including dairy, gluten, corn, peanuts, soy, sugar, and eggs, closely following any changes in symptoms, and reintroducing foods one at a time to see how symptoms are affected. We recommend working with a provider trained in functional health and experienced with elimination diets for best results.
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Best Soaps For Eczema: Your Guide
Your skin care routine may play a bigger role in triggering your eczema than you think. Some of the most common triggers of eczema are dry skin, stress, and irritants. Because soap is a common irritant, people with eczema often have to be careful when choosing how to wash their skin.
Whether its for your hands or body, youll want to find a soap that gets you clean without aggravating your eczema symptoms, such as itchiness, dryness, and inflammation.
But what exactly should you look for? Is there anything you should avoid? Lets take a look at the ingredients you should pay attention to when purchasing soap, as well as some MyEczemaTeam members experiences and recommendations.
What Questions Might My Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Eczema
The conversation with your healthcare provider will need to cover a lot of information. Be sure to be specific about your symptoms.
- Where is your eczema located?
- What have you used to try to treat your eczema?
- What medical conditions do you have? Allergies? Asthma?
- Is there a history of eczema in your family?
- How long have you had symptoms of eczema?
- Do you take hot showers?
- Is there anything that makes your symptoms worse?
- Have you noticed that something triggers or worsens your eczema? Soaps? Detergents? Cigarette smoke?
- Is there so much itchiness that you have trouble sleeping? Working? Living your normal life?
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Gentle Soaps And Detergents
Laundry detergent can contain harsh chemicals that aggravate eczema.
Many body washes and cleansers contain detergents, which help provide a soapy lather. Detergents and other lathering agents can dry out the skin, especially in people with eczema.
Bar soaps can also be harsh on the skin because of their alkalinity.
Try using a gentle, no-lather, fragrance-free cleanser. Avoid products with rough particles for scrubbing or exfoliating, as these can further irritate the skin.
Many people with eczema also find that switching to a more gentle, fragrance- or color-free laundry detergent can help improve symptoms.
Additionally, try skipping fabric softener, which lingers on clothes and often contains fragrances and chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Sitting next to a fireplace or near a furnace may feel good, but it can worsen eczema symptoms. The hot, dry air can dehydrate the skin and aggravate the itchiness of eczema.
Use a humidifier during the dry winter months and avoid getting too close to heaters and fireplaces.
Otc Medicines For Eczema
Over-the-counter eczema remedies are topical and oral medications you can buy without a prescription. You can find a range of OTC treatments that help with eczema symptoms such as itch, redness, irritation or rash. Other OTC treatments can help prevent flares and assist with sleep when night-time itch is keeping you awake.
Many OTC products are available in both brand-name or generic forms.
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What Exactly Is Eczema
According to Cleveland Clinic, eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis , affects up to 15 million Americans. It often starts in childhood, and you have a higher risk of developing it if youre a woman, if youre Black, or if you have asthma or hay fever. Eczema affects your skins ability to keep out irritants. Youre dealing with a compromised skin barrier, says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine. Outbreaks occur when your skin is exposed to an allergen. Factors like an overactive immune system, a family history of eczema, harsh irritants like pollution or chemicals in your environment, or carrying around lots of stress can also raise your odds of a flare-up.
Common Cause Of Hand Eczema:
The number one cause of hand eczema is frequent hand washing. Healthcare providers are required to wash their hands frequently because it is one of the most effective steps to prevent the spread of infection or disease.
In one study, 30% of the participants reported handwashing with soap more than 20 times a day at work. A total of 45% of the participant used hand disinfected more than 50 times a day.
That is a lot of hand washing!
Continuous and excessive exposure to water, especially hot water, can remove all the protective lipids and oils from the outer layer of the skin. The use of soap and other harsh cleansing agents, such as alcohol, can strip away the protective oils and lipids.
Collectively, all the hand washing destroys the skin barrier, making the skin excessively dry and less pliable. This leads to the formation of cracks and fissures in the skin, which in turn expose skin to various irritants or allergens.
A vicious cycle is created. The allergens or irritants trigger inflammation, which leads to further break down of the skin barrier. Before you know it, you have a major flare of hand eczema.
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What Type Of Moisturizer Is Good For Hand Eczema
Mild hand eczema on the knuckles
The more water there is in a lotion or moisturizer, the more likely it is to worsen your hand eczema. Moisturizers usually contain more water than oil, and when the water evaporates it can dry out the skin. The best moisturizer for hand eczema is a greasy ointment, such as petroleum jelly. Be sure to read the label to determine which moisturizer has the least amount of water.
TheNational Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance directory has a list of moisturizers specially formulated for eczema skin.
Apply the moisturizer to your hands immediately after you bathe and each time you wash your hands.
Remember that it can take a few months for a flare-up to clear. Even if your hands appear eczema-free, you will sometimes need to take special care to avoid a return of symptoms or getting other skin infections.
Learn more about how tocontrol and treat eczema.
Remember that it can take a few months for a flare-up to clear. Even if your hands appear eczema-free, you will sometimes need to take special care with them to avoid a return of symptoms.
Best For Dry Skin: Cln Bodywash
Courtesy of Amazon
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For use in treatment of eczema, folliculitis, and acne
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Safe for anyone 6 months and older
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Cleanses without disrupting skin barrier
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Some users reported breakouts or rashes after use
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More costly than other eczema soaps
CLns BodyWash is designed to reduce redness, dryness, and flakiness. It’s a cleanser that is safe for daily use, preserved with sodium hypochlorite for a strong but calming sensation for your eczema. This body wash does not contain any parabens, steroids, or fragrances, so it’s a great choice for both adults and children.
This product is recommended by the National Eczema Association.
Key Ingredients: Sodium hypochlorite | How to Use: Wet skin and pump small amount of soap into hands lather, massage into skin, rinse, and dry.
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How To Use It
People can buy aloe vera gel in health stores or online, or they can purchase an aloe vera plant and use the gel directly from its leaves.
Individuals should aim to use aloe gel products with few ingredients others can contain preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, and colors, which can irritate sensitive skin. Additionally, alcohol and other drying ingredients could make eczema worse.
However, start with a small amount of gel to check for skin sensitivity, as sometimes, aloe vera can cause burning or stinging. However, it is generally safe and effective for adults and children.
What Are The Treatments For Severe Hand Eczema
If your hand eczema is severe, discuss the possibility of a dermatology referral with your GP. The referral may be for diagnosing contact allergy or for treatment, which may include a short course of oral steroids or immunosuppressants . Alternatively, dermatology departments may recommend alitretinoin or phototherapy, as described below.
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