Eczema on the hands

What is eczema?

The disease got its name because of the bubbles (Greek eczeo – to boil) on the surface of the patient’s skin. Eczema on the hands is an acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease that manifests itself in the form of rashes with fluid vesicles or erosions, itching, burning and swelling. As a result of this reaction, the skin becomes more susceptible to various kinds of bacteria and fungi, and a secondary infection may join. Eczema can occur in both men and women.

Types of eczema on the hands

The cause of eczema on the hands can be a number of very different factors – hormonal, immune, neurological, infectious. Therefore, depending on the cause, several types of the disease are distinguished, which differ in clinical manifestations, the course and location of the rashes:

True eczema – a type of disease that can be caused by various factors, and it is not possible to identify a single cause. True eczema manifests itself as reddening of the skin with rashes of small bubbles with liquid, which soon burst, and their contents spill out. Redness of the skin does not have clear boundaries, rashes on the skin are usually located on both sides and are symmetrical. The most common localization of lesions in true eczema are the hands.

Microbial eczema develops due to infection of the skin by any bacteria, most often staphylococci and streptococci. Microbes produce toxins that serve as allergens for the body. In response, an allergic reaction develops in the form of redness, swelling and rash of bubbles. Eczema appears as asymmetric scaly patches of skin and is often localized along the edges of trophic ulcers on the legs, or non-healing wounds.

Mycotic eczema – a common type of disease, can often affect the skin of the feet, palms, legs, as well as the epidermis between the fingers. Occurs when the skin is affected by fungi of the genus Candida. The mechanism of its development is the same as that of microbial eczema. The edges of eczema are clearly defined so that the border with healthy skin is visible.

seborrheic eczema. The reason for its development is seborrhea – a skin disease rich in sebaceous glands. In place of the sebaceous glands, nodules appear, covered with scales. The characteristic location of the lesions is the scalp, nasolabial folds, back, less often the arms.

Occupational eczema associated with constant contact with harmful chemicals. Most often, occupational eczema affects workers in chemical plants and people in other professions that come into contact with harmful substances. Lesions are most often localized on the hands and forearms.

Causes of eczema on the hands

The causes of some types of eczema on the hands are sometimes difficult to determine. Experts believe that the disease can be caused by a combination of a number of factors. They may be genetically inherited allergic reactions. In such patients, other diseases of an allergic nature are often detected – allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma. An important role can be played by emotional stress, disruption of the nervous system, and even exposure to sunlight.

Contact or occupational eczema on the hands develops with constant contact with chemicals. They can be detergents, disinfectants, medicines. Persons exposed to harmful substances at work often have to change jobs in order to fully recover.

Separately, it should be noted infectious causes of eczema – bacterial and fungal infections. The most common causative agents of microbial eczema are streptococci and staphylococci. Eczema caused by an infection most often develops on damaged areas of the skin with wounds, cuts, ulcers.

Mycotic eczema It begins with the entry of fungi into skin cracks or cuts. Over time, fungi multiply and begin to release toxic substances. The body begins to fight the infection, so an allergy to a fungal infection develops, which manifests itself in the form of eczema. The most common cause of infection is poor personal hygiene.

Stages of eczema on the hands

Developing, the disease goes through several stages:

1. Erythematous stage – includes redness of the skin and itching.
2. The papulovesicular or vesicular stage manifests itself in the form of rashes of vesicles with liquid.
3. Weeping eczema. During this stage, the bubbles burst, in their place, wounds are formed that secrete fluid.
4. Crusty or dry eczema. At this stage, the wounds are covered with dry crusts of a grayish-yellow hue. In this case, lesions may appear in other parts of the body.

Hand eczema treatment

In the treatment of eczema on the hands, hygiene plays an important role, as well as the use of drugs that allow you to get rid of the symptoms of the disease. Usually, complex treatment is prescribed, which is aimed at eliminating the cause of the exacerbation. If symptoms of eczema appear in the form of redness, vesicles, itching, burning of the skin, you should consult a dermatologist. The specialist will help to correctly identify the nature of the disease and choose an individual course of treatment.

Drug therapy for eczema includes drugs to reduce the inflammatory response, antiallergic drugs, sedatives (sedatives) to relieve itching, and antibacterials to fight infection. Experts identify several groups of drugs that are recommended to be prescribed for eczema on the hands:

• ointments containing corticosteroids can reduce inflammation;
• antibacterial and antimycotic creams and ointments effectively fight infection;
• sedatives can reduce the severity of itching;
• antihistamines are aimed at removing the allergic component.

In the treatment of the disease, the correct diet is of great importance, the exclusion of foods that can cause allergic reactions. With large foci of eczema, bathing and showering is contraindicated. Patients should also avoid contact with household chemicals.

You can use the cream or ointment Triderm, which in their composition contain the corticosteroid betamethasone, the antibiotic gentamicin and the antifungal agent clotrimazole. Thus, this drug has a complex effect, which helps to relieve the symptoms of inflammation and get rid of the infection.

What to do if eczema doesn’t go away

If eczema does not go away for a long time, the disease may have become chronic, or the factors that led to the development of the disease (for example, allergens, chemicals, etc.) have not been eliminated. In any case, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will identify the causes and, most likely, correct the treatment.

Folk remedies for eczema on the hands

In addition to drug therapy, traditional medicine can be used. They have an additional anti-inflammatory and soothing effect. Of these, the most effective are:

• baths and lotions with a 0,01% solution of potassium permanganate are used once a day for 1-4 days;
• lotions with a 2% solution of boric acid;
• lotion with 2% solution of silver nitrate.

Prevention of eczema on the hands

The basis for the prevention of eczema is the observance of personal hygiene rules, hand skin care, as well as timely access to a specialist when the first symptoms of the disease appear. Not less important:

• do not start chronic diseases;
• it is advisable not to wear clothes made of synthetic fabrics;
• do not wear tight-fitting and rubbing clothing and shoes;
• when cleaning or washing dishes using chemicals, wear rubber gloves

Diet for eczema on hands

With eczema, you should completely exclude from the diet:

• spicy dishes and smoked meats;
• alcoholic beverages;
• salty;
• coffee.

During an exacerbation of eczema, it is better to stick to a diet consisting of cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat), fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt), vegetable soups or soups with low-fat meat broth.

Popular questions and answers

We discussed issues related to the development of eczema, its contagiousness and the possibility of transmission from parents to children, as well as possible complications and self-treatment, taking dietary supplements, homeopathy and traditional medicine with dermatologist Kristina Shevaldova.