Although people of all ages are affected by eczema, genes seem to have the final word in the spreading of the disease. Where does eczema appear? Well, unfortunately, any part of the skin is exposed to the problem. Symptoms like redness, itching, crusting, skin dryness, skin flakes, blisters and cracks make eczema easy to recognize. Healing lesions could also be associated with a slight discoloration of the skin. However, scarring, very seldom accompanies eczema. The hand eczema is a very common condition. Studies indicate that 4% of men and 10% of women are affected by the condition. Apparently, hand eczema has been reported mainly by people who work as homemakers, bartenders, mechanics, hairdressers, surgeons or dental workers, as well as by parents. What do all these people have in common? Humidity favors hand eczema and all the above mentioned categories will wash their hands very often.
Approximately 75% of people who suffer from eczema have the type called contact dermatitis. This can be allergic or irritant and it is difficult to make the difference between them sometimes. Hand eczema varies in severity from one patient to another but it usually becomes apparent by skin redness and dryness. Initially it manifests on fingers and between them and it can become very itchy and scaly. As it happens with the other types of eczema, in time, hand eczema may also lead to the appearance of blisters and cracks on hand skin. If it is not treated properly and in due time, it will probably spread to arms and feet.
The most basic cause of hand eczema is thefrequent washing and drying of the hands. Three situations favor the development of the problem: if you had previous episodes of atopic eczema, if you have a history of hay fever or asthma, and in case you have psoriasis. Fortunately there are a few things you can do to ease your hand eczema symptoms and get rid of the condition. Besides the practical advice that any health care provider will give you in such situations there are also some pharmaceutical products from which your doctor will surely select the best. It is good for you to try to avoid washing dishes by hand, but if this is not possible, in case you wear gloves, make sure to put a cotton pair under the rubber one so as to avoid the hand irritation because of detergents or synthetic glove material.