Itchy Hand Skin

Because your hands come in contact with so many substances and surfaces during the day, they're more likely to suffer irritation than other areas of skin. Once irritated, they can start to itch and may even develop rashes or blisters. In some cases, getting rid of the itch may be as simple as determining and avoiding the cause. Other cases of itchy hand skin may require medical treatment.

Features

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that can cause mildly to severely itchy rashes along with a stinging or burning sensation. More severe cases may cause blisters. Eczema is a chronic form of dermatitis. The hands are also a common site for hives, or urticaria. Hives are severely itchy swollen, pink bumps or patches. Fungal infections such as ringworm, or tinea, can also make hands itch. Ringworm typically appears as a ring-shaped rash, but skin fungi can take a variety of forms.

Causes

Contact with irritants or allergens can cause dermatitis. Causes of irritant contact dermatitis include detergent, chemicals, some metals, friction and cold or windy weather, explain experts from Penn State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Allergic contact dermatitis can occur due to nickel in jewelry, plants like poison ivy or poison oak, latex and ingredients in personal care products. Hives appear when the body releases large amounts of the hormone histamine due to an allergic reaction. Food, medications, exercise and substances in your environment like mold, household chemicals, cold and sunlight can lead to hives. The source of fungal infections is a microscopic plant-like organism that lives on the top layer of skin.

Diagnosis

A health care professional's diagnosis is important to determine the exact cause of your itchy hands and select proper treatment. Your doctor may visually examine your hands or conduct medical tests. For dermatitis, you may need a patch test, in which your doctor applies a patch containing an suspected allergen to your skin.
To determine the cause of hives, you may need a scratch test in which a tiny amount of suspected allergen is scratched into your skin's surface or a intradermal test in which the allergen is injected. To check for a fungal infection, your doctor may take skin scrapings and examine them under a microscope or send them to a lab.

Treatment

The first step in treating contact dermatitis is to avoid further contact with the irritant or allergen that caused the itching. While healing, keep your hands moisturized and avoid overwashing them. You may need topical corticosteroids to relieve moderate itching or oral corticosteroids or antihistamines for more severe itching and swelling. Controlling hives also requires avoiding the cause, but recurring hives may require antihistamines. If antihistamines aren't sufficient, your doctor may add corticosteroid treatments. To treat a fungal infection, you'll need to apply antifungal cream as your doctor directs and keep the affected area dry. Your doctor may suggest a hydrocortisone cream to control itching.

Prevention

Wear gloves when using harsh chemicals including household cleaners, when working outdoors among potentially allergenic plants, and when handling animals, including cats and dogs, that may carry skin fungus. Because latex gloves can also irritate skin, use hypoallergenic, latex-free gloves if you have sensitive skin. To avoid irritating your skin, wash your hands only when necessary and use mild soap. Avoid antibacterial soaps, which can lower your skin's acidity, leaving it prone to infection, advise health experts from the University of Washington.