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Dry, chapped hands have a simple solution in most cases: wet them as little as possible.

Hands are a very important part of us and perform a great variety of functions: those that require strength, skill, delicacy… They also help us to express ourselves and are our business card, what we offer to others to make ourselves known.

For this reason, skin disorders that affect them, such as eczema or hand dermatitis, can be a handicap when it comes to performing common or important tasks and impair our quality of life.

Hand eczema or dermatitis is a common problem, especially in young women, but it can affect any age.

The most frequent cause of hand dermatitis is excessive washing and the use of irritating cleaning products. It is often due to a combination of factors such as personal predisposition, stress or even an allergic contact reaction to a particular product.

Hand eczema may affect the back of the hand, the palm or the sides of the fingers. May itch, sting or hurt. It presents acutely (with repeated episodes) or chronically. It can manifest itself in many forms: redness, swelling, fissures, vesicles, fluid exudation, intense dryness and thickening of the skin.

The basis of treatment is lifestyle modification and hand care. We recommend hygiene and moisturizing products without irritating ingredients, free of fragrances. Moisturizer should be applied several times a day, at least after each hand washing and before going to bed. Doing this on a regular basis can help to space out outbreaks and reduce their intensity.

Although we know it is difficult, it is advisable to modify some habits that trigger or perpetuate dermatitis. Manual work involving humidity should be avoided, as well as contact with irritating products (cleaning, food…), if necessary with the use of cotton gloves under vinyl gloves, depending on the activity to be performed. Avoid excessive sweating and dryness, as well as scratching, which worsens eczema and favors bacterial superinfection. Stress acts as a trigger for some people, so it can be helpful to learn how to manage it.

When eczema is active, topical corticosteroids (on the skin) are necessary, although there are some alternatives to avoid its continued use, such as some topical immunomodulators like pimecrolimus or tacrolimus. In severe cases that do not respond to treatment, treatment with oral corticosteroids, phototherapy (ultraviolet rays) or oral retinoids may be considered.

If you wish to obtain more in-depth information on the subject, you can obtain it in this scientific article in our Spanish dermatology journal.