Hand dermatitis is widespread and annoying.
01.10.2019
Many factors can lead to dermatitis of the hand. Read useful treatment tips here.
No matter how much hand cream you use, the skin on your hand is dry, red, cracked and itchy. In winter it is particularly bad, but sometimes you experience relapses in warmer months.
Maybe you have more than just dry skin. It could also be one or more forms of dermatitis affecting the hands. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin - and it is widespread. Although the cause does not always find itself, it can be treated by medication and care.
Symptoms of dermatitis
If the skin itches, red and partially swollen ..
Many forms of dermatitis can affect the hands, and sometimes differ only slightly. Hand dermatitis - also known as eczema - is generally characterized by redness (though it sometimes looks brown or gray), sore, itchy and partially swollen skin. Sometimes the skin can also form oozing blisters.
Over time, the skin can become thick and leathery. Many factors can trigger or contribute to hand dermatitis: allergies, stress, genetic factors and environmental irritants. Hand dermatitis is not contagious. It can, however, impair the resistance of your skin to infections.
Forms of dermatitis including their causes
Determining your form of hand dermatitis depends not only on the symptoms, but also on your medical history. Dermatitis forms of the hand include:
Contact dermatitis - This happens when the skin reacts to the touch of an irritant. It may be the reaction to irritants that damage the cells, or to certain allergens that come in contact with the skin. Typical suspects are soaps, perfumes, household cleaners, cosmetics. Metals as in jewelry (mostly allergic reaction) or plant toxins as in the big bear claw (phototoxic-allergic reaction).
Dyshidrotic Dermatitis - This form affects hands and sometimes feet and is associated with skin that often gets wet. Most of the time it occurs due to stress. Dyshidrotic dermatitis typically first appears on the finger surfaces, spreading from small itchy nodules or blisters to a flat rash.
Atopic dermatitis - "Atopic" describes a hereditary predisposition to hypersensitivity of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is a long-lasting disorder that can be accompanied by asthma or hay fever. It occurs frequently in families where other members already suffer from asthma and hay fever. The disorder can already develop in younger people and continue the whole life. Although atopic dermatitis can occur at almost any skin site, typically the insides of the elbows and knees are affected.
There is also a form of psoriasis that resembles other forms of hand dermatitis. Pustular psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that usually causes blisters on hands and feet.
Medical treatment of dermatitis
If these measures do not help or you are unable to sleep properly due to sore or sore skin or are distracted during the day, you should consult a doctor. But since each case is different, the treatments can differ considerably. Prescription therapies for hand dermatitis may include:
Ointments or lotions - Products containing corticosteroids can reduce itching and inflammation. These treatments are very effective and help with most forms of hand dermatitis. They are available in different strengths and dosages. Newer creams with immunomodulators - Tacrolismus (Protopic®) and Pimecrolismus (Elidel®) - can be significantly more expensive and therefore suitable only for particularly sensitive skin areas, or if other treatments fail.
Prescription antihistamines or oral corticosteroids - These may help with severe itching or swelling. Extremely severe cases may require special measures: antibiotics, medical baths, light treatments (phototherapy) and possibly an oral, immunomodulatory drug.