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Hand Eczema Facts

Lifestyle changes can help reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups.
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Basilea Pharmaceutica www.abouthandeczema.com

Day-to-day tips

Intro The way you take care of your hands on a daily basis can make a big difference in controlling your hand eczema. Here are some guidelines that have helped many people, but always check with your doctor before trying any of these suggestions. What works for one person may not work for another, and a family physician or dermatologist is the best resource to come up with a management plan that's right for you.
Avoid Irritants Perhaps materials or substances that you contact in your daily life trigger your hand eczema. It's important to try to avoid contact with these things as much as possible. Some common irritants include:
Pointer Hand
  • Household cleaners. Look for alternatives without bleach and other harsh chemicals
  • Soaps. Avoid scented bubble bath products, soaps, or shower gels as these can dehydrate the skin and make your symptoms worse
  • Laundry detergents
  • Frequent contact with water
  • Wool
  • Cosmetics
  • Personal care items. Avoid items that contain alcohol
  • Perfumes
  • Lotions. Even some moisturizers can cause irritation—choose carefully

 

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Regular use of a nonirritating lotion or hand cream should help to reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flares. If you have any questions about moisturizers, including how often you should be using them, please speak to your doctor.
Pointer Hand

  • Apply moisturizers liberally and often because their effects are short lived

  • The best time to apply moisturizers is just after a bath or when the skin is still damp

  • Use moisturizers every day, even on those days when your symptoms are not bad or your eczema appears under control

  • Continue to use moisturizers, even if your doctor decides that you need a prescription treatment to help manage your condition

Select a moisturizer that's right for you
Moisturizers help to lock in the skin’s own natural moisture. The more oil a moisturizer contains, the more effectively it works.
Pointer Hand

  • In dry conditions, consider products that contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or linoleic acid

  • Avoid products that contain fragrances, preservatives, and skin-irritating chemicals

  • Heavier, oily moisturizers can be used at night; less greasy lotions can be used during the day

  • Find products that you like, and that feel pleasing to you, so you will be encouraged to use them

Protect your hands at home It may be that things you come into contact with around the house trigger or worsen your hand eczema. Taking some precautions can help:
Pointer Hand
  • Wear cotton gloves to do household chores like vacuuming or dusting if these activities irritate your skin
  • Wear hypoallergenic waterproof gloves when you are preparing food or working with water. If you are allergic to latex gloves, wear cotton gloves underneath
  • Try to maintain home humidity between 45% and 55%. Consider using a humidifier or dehumidifier if needed

  • When doing yard work, wear thick cotton gloves

Stop the scratch/itch cycle Like many people with hand eczema, you may scratch and rub your hands to get relief. This can damage the skin even more, leaving it open to infection, which in turn can create more itching and discomfort, and a greater severity of symptoms. There are things you can do to help break this cycle:
Pointer Hand

  • Try to avoid sweating and overheating. These trigger itching

  • If you are wearing gloves for protection, take them off every 15-20 minutes to avoid excessive sweating

  • Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity. A sharp rise in temperature can lead to sweating. A drop in humidity can make skin dry

  • Use a cold compress on your hands when you have a desire to scratch. You can also apply moisturizer

  • Keep your fingernails short so that if you do scratch, you are less likely to damage the skin

  • If you scratch your hands while you sleep, wear cotton gloves in bed

Tips for washing hands Hand washing is important to remove dirt and germs. However, it can also aggravate your hand eczema. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Pointer Hand

  • Wash hands with lukewarm water. The water should not feel hot or redden the skin

  • Avoid frequent hand washing. Excessive exposure to water can irritate the skin

  • Use nondrying cleansers free of fragrances and antibacterial agents, as these can dry the skin

  • Don’t scrub the skin during washing

  • Pat hands partially dry—don’t rub the skin dry

  • Apply moisturizer after washing, when skin is still slightly damp

Intro The way you take care of your hands on a daily basis can make a big difference in controlling your hand eczema. Here are some guidelines that have helped many people, but always check with your doctor before trying any of these suggestions. What works for one person may not work for another, and a family physician or dermatologist is the best resource to come up with a management plan that's right for you.
Avoid Irritants Perhaps materials or substances that you contact in your daily life trigger your hand eczema. It's important to try to avoid contact with these things as much as possible. Some common irritants include:
  • Household cleaners. Look for alternatives without bleach and other harsh chemicals
  • Soaps. Avoid scented bubble bath products, soaps, or shower gels as these can dehydrate the skin and make your symptoms worse
  • Laundry detergents
  • Frequent contact with water
  • Wool
  • Cosmetics
  • Personal care items. Avoid items that contain alcohol
  • Perfumes
  • Lotions. Even some moisturizers can cause irritation—choose carefully

 
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize Regular use of a nonirritating lotion or hand cream should help to reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flares. If you have any questions about moisturizers, including how often you should be using them, please speak to your doctor.

  • Apply moisturizers liberally and often because their effects are short lived

  • The best time to apply moisturizers is just after a bath or when the skin is still damp

  • Use moisturizers every day, even on those days when your symptoms are not bad or your eczema appears under control

  • Continue to use moisturizers, even if your doctor decides that you need a prescription treatment to help manage your condition
Select a moisturizer that's right for you Moisturizers help to lock in the skin’s own natural moisture. The more oil a moisturizer contains, the more effectively it works.

  • In dry conditions, consider products that contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or linoleic acid

  • Avoid products that contain fragrances, preservatives, and skin-irritating chemicals

  • Heavier, oily moisturizers can be used at night; less greasy lotions can be used during the day

  • Find products that you like, and that feel pleasing to you, so you will be encouraged to use them
Protect your hands at home It may be that things you come into contact with around the house trigger or worsen your hand eczema. Taking some precautions can help:
  • Wear cotton gloves to do household chores like vacuuming or dusting if these activities irritate your skin
  • Wear hypoallergenic waterproof gloves when you are preparing food or working with water. If you are allergic to latex gloves, wear cotton gloves underneath
  • Try to maintain home humidity between 45% and 55%. Consider using a humidifier or dehumidifier if needed

  • When doing yard work, wear thick cotton gloves
Stop the scratch/itch cycle Like many people with hand eczema, you may scratch and rub your hands to get relief. This can damage the skin even more, leaving it open to infection, which in turn can create more itching and discomfort, and a greater severity of symptoms. There are things you can do to help break this cycle:

  • Try to avoid sweating and overheating. These trigger itching

  • If you are wearing gloves for protection, take them off every 15-20 minutes to avoid excessive sweating

  • Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity. A sharp rise in temperature can lead to sweating. A drop in humidity can make skin dry

  • Use a cold compress on your hands when you have a desire to scratch. You can also apply moisturizer

  • Keep your fingernails short so that if you do scratch, you are less likely to damage the skin

  • If you scratch your hands while you sleep, wear cotton gloves in bed
Tips for washing hands Hand washing is important to remove dirt and germs. However, it can also aggravate your hand eczema. Here are some guidelines to follow:

  • Wash hands with lukewarm water. The water should not feel hot or redden the skin

  • Avoid frequent hand washing. Excessive exposure to water can irritate the skin

  • Use nondrying cleansers free of fragrances and antibacterial agents, as these can dry the skin

  • Don’t scrub the skin during washing

  • Pat hands partially dry—don’t rub the skin dry

  • Apply moisturizer after washing, when skin is still slightly damp
Basilea Pharmaceutica www.abouthandeczema.com
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