Hand eczema, also known as dermatitis, is an often painful chronic rash that turns the hands red, cracked, and may cause oozy bumps or itchy, scaly patches, according to the National Eczema Association. Dishpan hands are a form of hand eczema, but the condition can strike anyone. Hand eczema is more likely to occur in people who have had similar skin problems or allergies as children, or whose hands get wet often or are exposed to certain chemicals on the job. It's important to seek medical care quickly for hand eczema because it becomes more difficult to treat with time.
Corticosteroids
A common treatment for hand eczema is a topical corticosteroid, which can reduce inflammation and help ease itching. The National Eczema Association recommends keeping the lotion in the refrigerator because it will do a better job of soothing the skin if it's cool. Topical corticosteroids should only be used when hand eczema is actively causing problems because long-term use of the product can cause the skin to thin, as well as other side effects. In cases that don't respond to topical corticosteroids, sometimes an oral corticosteroid or another drug to fight inflammation is prescribed, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Calcineurin Inhibitors
Some alternatives to corticosteroids include tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, which cause fewer side effects than corticosteroids, according to the National Eczema Association. Like corticosteroids, they work by reducing inflammation. These drugs are approved for anyone over two years old. They should be used in combination with sunscreen.
Other Drugs
Because hand eczema is sometimes caused by an allergic reaction to chemicals found at work or in common household products, sometimes oral antihistamines can help, according to the National Eczema Association. Antihistamines work by blocking the immune system response that causes the inflammation in an allergic reaction. Sometimes, antibiotics are prescribed when an infection in the afflicted hand develops, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For people whose eczema is triggered by excessive sweating in the hands, botulinum toxin type A injections can help.
Lifestyle Changes
Avoid wetting your hands as much as possible by using gloves when doing chores like washing dishes or preparing food, suggests the National Eczema Association. Use a dishwasher and washing machine if possible. Try waterless hand-washing when sanitizing your hands isn't necessary, by using a cream cleanser and then blotting it off. Apply moisturizers any time the hands get wet. Avoid any allergens or irritants that cause the hand eczema to flare up. Petroleum jelly offers the most protection because unlike many moisturizers, it doesn't contain water, which can increase the problem, and it also provides a protective barrier to keep other irritants out, according to the National Eczema Association. Avoid any allergens or irritants that cause the hand eczema to flare up.
Phototherapy
Light therapy can help treat chronic hand eczema, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The patient is given a light-sensitive drug called psorlen that makes the skin more sensitive to UVA light before exposing the hands to UVA light. UVA light is a specific wavelength of light that affects the immune system, damping down the immune response to whatever irritants are causing the eczema so that symptoms are reduced. Though effective, the treatment raises the risk of skin cancer and can cause nausea, headache, tiredness, and burning, itchy or discolored skin.
