Hand dermatitis (also known as hand eczema) often results from a combination of causes, including genetic makeup (constitutional factors), injury (contact with irritants) and allergy. It is frequently caused or aggravated by work, when it is known as occupational dermatitis. Hand dermatitis is particularly common in industries involving cleaning, catering, metalwork, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work.
It can be very itchy. Hands dermatitis is often difficult to treat effectively. It is most commonly seen in those who do a lot of wet work either at home or at work. This condition can be very disabling and can affect the ability to perform at work and home. Homemakers, parents with small children, bartenders, hairdressers, dental workers and surgeons are at risk. The common feature is repetitive wetting and drying of the hands. Cold weather can aggravate the condition.
The hands of parents with newborns worsen usually after 3-6 months. Of those with atopic eczema in childhood about 40% will experience irritant hand dermatitis. About 70% of these individuals will have hand involvement if their work involves regular contact with hand irritants.
When washing hands, soak them first in clean water for 2 to 3 minutes, then wash with a soothing emulsifying ointment or aqueous cream cream, and finally patted dry. Steroids suppress the inflammation that causes the eczema and one of the major eczema causes. They also help to thin down the thickened skin. They should be used on a regular basis and always be used with a soothing emulsifying ointment or aqueous cream. By themselves, steroid creams tend to dry the skin. Antibiotics can be added to steroid cream to treat any additional infection of the skin. It is important to continue using these creams for as long as the eczema is present.
Hand eczema tends to become chronic, resulting in the development of hyperkeratosis and fissures. Ointments occlude and hydrate the skin and are generally better suited for the treatment of hand eczema than creams. Although it may be impractical to use ointments during the workday, they can be used at bedtime. Topical corticosteroids should be used on affected areas of the hands every day for 1-2 months and then tapered to intermittent use for several months.
Apply moisturizer while the skin is still moist. Repeat after each hand washing, immediately after bathing and after removing gloves. The rule of thumb for moisturizers is: the messier, the better. Moisturizing creams are better because they are thicker and last longer on the skin. Lotions, which contain mostly water, are the least effective as moisturizers.
Wear waterproof gloves while peeling and squeezing lemons, oranges, or grapefruit, peeling potatoes, and handling tomatoes. Wear them for tasks such as dishes, folding laundry (the fabric soaks the moisture out of the hands), peeling vegetables or for handling citrus fruits or tomatoes. Always replace gloves that develop holes. One should have enough waterproof gloves so that the insides of the gloves can dry between uses.
Please share your comments below-
Tags: hand eczema hand eczema treatment prevent eczema
Related Posts
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: wp23_related_posts() in /home/healthan/public_html/wp-content/themes/bloggingpro_wr/single.php on line 158