Eczema on the hands is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause severe itching in children and adults. Anyone who has eczema knows how frustrating this skin condition can be, but dermatologists are now reporting an increasing number of children with eczema on their hands.
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| Hand Eczema |
Why is erythrasma on the increase?
The
immunity levels of today's children are lower than those of previous
generations and parents should consider increasing the level of diaper changes
to help their children achieve a healthy gut microbiome, which will help them
prevent conditions like eczema! So, if your pediatrician says it's time for
more frequent diaper changes, take advantage and make the most out of these
crucial moments when the baby's immune system is being strengthened.
Causes
Hand eczema
is a topical condition, which causes skin eruptions on the surface of your
hands. Its cause is unknown, but it may be due to various factors such as
dryness, sweat, and washing excess bacteria away, which can lead to
inflammation.
If you are
experiencing hand eczema, then you may feel an itchy sensation at some point in
the day. This itchiness can be persistent or intermittent and often leads to
scratches that can leave behind a scaly rash on your fingers, palms, or wrist.
The scratch marks that are left behind because of hand eczema can be very itchy
and irritating.
The rash
can also be on the fingertips, knuckles, palmar surface of fingertips or
fingernails, or even on the palms of your hands. If you notice the rash in this
part of your hands, then you should take measures to prevent it from spreading
to other areas of your skin.
Symptoms
Symptoms of eczema on hands include redness, scaling, itching, and thickening skin. With any kind of eczema, typically an allergic reaction primarily affects the skin. Eczema symptoms can vary in severity depending on the individual and the condition. Once symptoms are present, they often appear in areas near where your fingers have been exposed to water or soap. Since there is no cure for eczema, most people find relief from treatment options like steroids or topical creams that can help reduce the severity of flare-ups and improve quality of life by reducing itching and relieving dry flakes from your hands.
Medical Treatment Of Eczema
If you
observe eczema symptoms, you should first seek advice from your pharmacist, who
can provide over-the-counter lotions and ointments from your local drugstore.
There are several lotions available to help hydrate your skin and thereby treat
eczema symptoms. However, the effectiveness of each will vary from patient to
patient, so you may need to test many before you discover one that works best
for you. These emollient creams should be used at least 3-4 times a day to keep
your skin moisturized throughout the day. Some creams can also be used as a
soap substitute for bathing and hand washing. Many eczema flare-ups occur when
people do not use these creams frequently enough, and this is one of the first
things your doctor will advise you to do.
If your
symptoms are severe, do not go away after a few weeks, or over-the-counter
drugs do not help, you should consult a doctor. A doctor will first determine
whether you have eczema and then maybe prescribe a steroid cream to treat it
when it is extremely bothersome. In most cases, your doctor would advise you to
continue using emollient creams in addition to any prescribed steroid cream. If
your eczema is especially bothersome and not responding to standard therapy,
your doctor may have to send you to a specialist.
Some simple steps you may take to help reduce your hand eczema
If you are
experiencing eczema on your hands, it is important to be aware of some helpful
tips for treatment. The following are some solutions for getting rid of hand
eczema.
1)
Moisturize your hands daily to soothe dry skin, which can lead to excessive
scratching or cracking. You can use petroleum jelly or a moisturizer that
contains glycerin and an anti-itch agent, such as colloidal oatmeal.
2) Use
plain soap instead of anything with fragrance or dyes that may irritate your
skin even more.
3) Avoid hand
washing too often. It can dry out your hands and make them more susceptible to
blemishes.
4) Don't
scrub your hands too hard with a washcloth or brush, which can also irritate.
5) Don't
pick at any scabs with your nails. Using a Q-tip instead will help prevent
damage to the skin and make sure that you do not accidentally injure the area
under the skin where the infection is hiding.
6) Do not share
towels or washcloths with anyone else, because they may not be washed
correctly, which can spread germs from one person to another.
7) Before
bedtime, take a moment to wash your hands with antibacterial soap, and make
sure that you dry your hands thoroughly. This will help to prevent moisture
from collecting on the palms of your hands during the night and can prevent
your skin from picking up germs when you are asleep.
8) Use cold
compresses on a few spots that are itching tremendously. This will help to
soothe them, and it will help to shrink the open areas of eczema.
9) Apply
calamine lotion or other anti-itch creams a few times a day regularly as needed
to keep itchy areas at bay.
10) Ask
your doctor about taking an antihistamine, such as Benadryl or Zyrtec, if you
are having an allergic reaction to eczema.
11) If
eczema on your hands becomes infected, ask your doctor about taking a
prescription antibiotic for it.
12) Your
doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to help with itching and inflammation. Use
this only under your doctor's supervision to treat inflamed areas of skin.