Eczema on Hands

Eczema is an itchy rash that can be dry and flaky or oozing fluid. There are different types of eczema and several of them can cause hand dermatitis. Eczema on hands is often a type of eczema known as contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to an allergen. When someone is allergic to a chemical, food, soap, detergent, or other substance and the person touches it, contact dermatitis can develop where the skin came in contact with the allergen.

Obviously, the hands are a common place for contact dermatitis because people often touch soaps or cleaning chemicals that can trigger contact dermatitis. In some cases, the dermatitis covers the hands and parts of the arms.

The contact dermatitis rash may cause the skin to feel tight and crack. Itchiness and redness are common eczema symptoms. There may be dry patches of skin with flaking dead skin. Contact dermatitis can be a very uncomfortable condition.

Dishwashing detergents are a common trigger for contact dermatitis. I used to work with a girl who developed severe contact dermatitis on both hands and arms after washing dishes where we worked. She is the only one who would break out in a rash after using that dishwashing detergent.

It's not uncommon for many people to be able to use the substance without ill effects even though it may cause contact dermatitis in someone else. She had to wear rubber gloves any time she had to wash the dishes but she would develop contact dermatitis if any soapy water got inside the gloves.

The best thing is to avoid contact with the allergen if the allergen is known. Many people develop hand dermatitis but do not know what caused it. Also, using a soap or other chemical in the past without developing hand eczema is not a guarantee that using it again will not cause a rash. People can develop allergies to substances that they were previously not allergic to.

Other types of eczema that can occur on the hands include discoid eczema and dyshidrotic eczema. Discoid eczema causes coin-sized round patches of dry skin. Discoid eczema also is called nummular eczema or nummular dermatitis. Discoid eczema causes include recent injuries to the skin such as an abrasion or rug burn, burn, or insect bite.

Dyshidrotic eczema causes blisters on the hands and feet. The blisters contain fluid and can be itchy or painful. Dyshidrotic eczema is most common in people with a history of allergies who either need to have their hands in water often or work with cement. Chromium, cobalt, and nickel can be causes of dyshidrotic eczema.

The doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid or coal tar ointment may be used to treat hand dermatitis. Phototherapy is sometimes prescribed for discoid eczema and dyshidrotic eczema. Some hand eczema may be treated with oral or injected steroids.

Please visit this article on hand eczema for more information. Thank you.