4 Ways All Skin Types Can Manage Eczema on Hands

Do you have eczema on your hands? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. One in 10 individuals develops eczema on their hands in their lifetime. This condition refers to dry, itchy, red skin that affects your palms and fingers.

Hand eczema may turn your skin scaly and thick, and your fingers swell during flare-ups. Although common, dealing with it can get challenging, especially when performing everyday tasks such as typing on your laptop or simply fastening your buttons.

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, looks different on each person and affects various parts of the body, including the neck, hands, elbows, feet, ankles, and face. Some people with eczema don’t know they have had it since childhood because the rashes they get are not severe enough to see a dermatologist. The cause of eczema is not fully understood, although researchers believe an overactive immune system can cause it.

The most common symptoms of eczema include:

Dry, thick, and scaly skin

Inflammation and discoloration

An irresistible itching sensation

Dust, detergent, cleaning agents, and airborne sprays can trigger eczema on hands and other body parts. People in specific jobs, such as hairdressers and cleaners, are at higher risk. While the skin on your palms is typically thicker than the rest of the skin on your body, regular use of detergents or solvents can break down the skin’s protective barrier.

One type of eczema is allergic hand eczema or allergic contact dermatitis. It can be caused by an allergic reaction to something in your environment. These include substances and irritants such as nickel, fragrances, preservative chemicals, rubber, and various plants.

Pompholyx eczema, also known as dyshidrotic dermatitis, is another type of eczema that can also affect the hands and feet. It commonly exhibits itchy and watery blisters on the sides of your fingers, palms, and soles of your feet.

While eczema on the hands can be a nuisance, there are things you can do to manage it.

Soothe your hands and keep your skin happy with these tips.

Flare-ups can be extremely itchy and annoying. But scratching it will only cause your skin more harm than good. Keep your fingernails short, so you don’t scratch your skin too hard and risk introducing bacteria that could turn into an infection.

Since eczema is caused (and worsened) by dry skin, keeping your skin moist is crucial. Locking in your skin’s moisture not only lessens the itch but also prevents the likelihood of infection. Moisturizing ointments and fragrance-free creams such as petroleum jelly are thicker than lotions and can help soothe your skin.

Try Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, made with 100% pure and triple-purified petroleum jelly. It helps effectively lock in moisture to protect and heal against dry skin and is clinically proven to help treat damaged skin.

While frequent handwashing is hygienic, it can trigger eczema. Switch to a moisturizing handwash that doesn’t strip your skin’s moisture like Dove Nourishing Hand Wash Deeply Nourishing. Its special formulation of ¼ moisturizing cream nourishes your hands up to 10 layers deep, leaving them soft and smooth after every use. You can also try Dove Nourishing Hand Wash Cucumber & Green Tea, which delivers the same benefits, plus a refreshing cucumber and green tea scent. 

Although you only have hand eczema, it can still occur anywhere in your body if you have risk factors such as genetics. Hence, it’s good practice to preserve your skin’s natural oils by using a body wash that doesn’t strip off your skin’s moisture.

Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, formulated with Moisture Renew Blend, goes deep into the epidermis and works with the skin’s natural processes to help renew its moisture.

Simple changes in everyday steps can help you manage eczema on your hands. No fancy treatments necessary!