Hand eczema is a type of skin condition with symptoms located near the upper extremities. Hand eczema is more common in women than in men, and it is estimated to affect 9% of women. Skin lesions more often affect younger than middle-aged women. In Sweden, the frequency was 13% of women in the general population, aged 28-37, and 6,7%, aged 48-57. The only basis for distinguishing this unit is the location of the lesions on the skin of the hands.

What is hand eczema?

Hand eczema is a condition that causes symptoms in the area of ​​the upper limbs. It is a fairly common condition characterized by inflammation developing in the epidermis and dermis layers. This ailment affects women more often than men, and its cause may be various endo-and exogenous factors. Hand eczema is non-infectious and results from contact with sensitizing and irritating substances arising from atopy. The causes of this ailment may appear singly or coexist with each other. Eczema can also appear on the legs.

The primary subtype of hand eczema is considered to be endogenous eczemawhich is characterized by inflammation due to intrinsic factors. Thus, the formation of the disease process is not influenced by substances in direct contact with the skin, but by those entering our body through the digestive tract or inhalation, and then reaching the skin together with blood. In this situation eczema can be caused by, for example, bacteria. The most common type of endogenous eczema is:

  1. sweat eczema,
  2. monetary eczema,
  3. callous eczema.

Another subtype of hand eczema is eczema, which results from direct skin contact with allergens. Thus, hand eczema may take the form of irritant eczema (e.g. work-related eczema) or contact eczema.

Hand eczema – causes

The prevailing opinion is that in young women, 20-25 years old, most inflammatory lesions in the hands are caused by contact with irritating factors related to the need to care for children, especially infants, and with housework. Toxic skin damage is caused by household dishwashing liquids, cleaning and washing preparations, polishing pastes, etc. In mature men, occupational dermatitis of the hands of toxic or allergic etiology prevails. Contact dermatitis of the hands, both irritating and allergic, is hardly seen in children.

Hand eczema – symptoms

Hand eczema lesions are usually located on the skin of the hands, especially on the dorsal surface. Other symptoms and causes depend on the type of condition you have.

1. Contact eczema – it is characterized by the presence of lumps and blisters on the skin that cause unbearable itching and dry and flaky skin. The lesions usually occur in places where the skin comes in contact with the sensitizing factor, and less frequently they attack a larger area of ​​the body. If the skin breaks in the inner part of the hand, it causes a lot of pain for the patient. Contact eczema can be caused by an allergy or skin irritation, such as occupational eczema, which is the result of the skin’s constant contact with harmful substances.

2. Sweating eczema – manifested by the presence of a large number of bubbles having a taut surface. 70% of erythematous changes are occupied by the hands. Sweating eczema is accompanied by severe itching of the skin, and the ailment itself can turn into an acute, recurrent or chronic form. The vesicles that appear on the skin can fill with pus, especially when it becomes a bacterial infection. This type of eczema can be caused by a contact allergy and a drug reaction.

3. Mating eczema – is one of the types of contact eczema, characterized by the formation of oval foci of inflammation up to 2 centimeters in diameter. Blisters and lumps form around the foci of inflammation. Additionally, there is severe itching and peeling of the skin eruptions. The cause of the disease may be a delayed cellular hypersensitivity to, for example, streptococci.

4. Protein eczema – is otherwise referred to as atopic contact eczema, which is caused by the action of allergens. The triggering factor is atopic diathesis and daily contact with protein products, e.g. in cooks.

5. Eczema corpus callosum – it is a condition that mainly affects the hands. A characteristic feature of this ailment is the formation of itchy and excessively dry outbreaks. Additionally, linear cracks and fissures are formed. The formation of this type of eczema may be influenced by disturbances in the hormonal balance and mechanical injuries.

How to diagnose eczema cancer

Patients with hand eczema should see their GP, dermatologist, or allergist. Diagnosis is made mainly on the basis of clinical symptoms and a medical history with the patient, in which it is important to establish the relationship between the existing symptoms and the triggering factors. If the doctor suspects an allergy – allergy tests are performed and then specialist treatment is implemented. The histopathological picture is typical for each type of eczema.

Hand eczema should be differentiated from other ailments with similar symptoms:

  1. chronic contact dermatitis due to irritation,
  2. psoriasis,
  3. tinea,
  4. atopic dermatitis (AD),
  5. scabies
  6. passenger,
  7. other forms of eczema.

Hand eczema and treatment

Treatment of hand eczema is typical of contact eczema and is based on topical treatment. The patient is given corticosteroid preparations. In addition, it is recommended to use creams and aerosols, especially on oozing lesions. Oily creams also work well, especially if the skin becomes excessively keratinized and peeling. In patients with an acute form of hand eczema characterized by severe inflammation, it is necessary to introduce steroids. Antiseptic preparations are also included in the treatment when bacterial superinfection occurs at the same time.

Another method of treatment may be the use of compresses prepared on the basis of boric acid and saline solution. Unbearable itching is relieved with antihistamines. Conversely, a chronic form of hand eczema that does not respond to topical treatment is treated with immunosuppressants. Eczema on the hands can also be eliminated with phototherapy.

How can I prevent hand eczema?

The best prevention is to avoid contact with the causative agent of hand eczema and to properly protect it. Special footwear, protective gloves and clothing should be used. In addition, you should avoid long and hot baths, perfumed soaps and cosmetics – these factors can exacerbate the disease. Stress also exacerbates the clinical symptoms of hand eczema.

DIG. W-36. Hand eczema.

DIG. W-37. Hand eczema.

DIG. W-38. Hand eczema.

DIG. W-39. Hand eczema.

Lit .: [1] Gliński W., Rudzki E .: Allergology for matologists. Wydawnictwo Czelej, Lublin 2002. [2] Diep gen T., Agner T., Aberer W. et al .: Management of chro nic hand eczema. Contact Dermatitis 2007, 57; 203-10.

Source: A. Kaszuba, Z. Adamski: “Lexicon of dermatology”; XNUMXst edition, Czelej Publishing House

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