Also known as hand dermatitis, hand eczema is a skin condition affecting nearly 10% of the U.S. population. In this post, we’ll explore the different causes and symptoms of the skin disorder as well as suggest some hand eczema tips to help keep your skin under control.
Please keep in mind that although these tips and information have worked for several sufferers, we are in no way medical professionals. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms or have a topical infection, it is always best to seek medical advice immediately.
Causes of Eczema on Hand
Most commonly, hand eczema is triggered by contact with allergens and irritating substances which explains why it mostly affects those who work in catering, hairdressing, cleaning, healthcare, and mechanics. While hand eczema is not contagious, it may be passed down from parent to child due to genetic factors.
Symptoms of Hand Eczema
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by rough, dry patches of skin. A key symptom of the disorder is intense itching. In addition to these symptoms, hand eczema can be identified by the following:
- Redness
- Pain
- Dryness, to the point of peeling or flaking skin
- Cracked Skin on fingertips and other areas
- Blisters pr oozing skin
Natural Hand Eczema Treatments
Thankfully, there are some great natural treatments you can use to protect and soothe your skin from the inside out. Here are our top tips:
Avoid Irritants and Allergens
The best way to prevent hand eczema is to avoid the triggers that caused it in the first place. Of course, the tricky part lies in discerning which irritants actually triggered your flare-up. A good way to do this is to monitor which shampoos, soaps, and laundry detergents you use. If you notice a sudden flare-up after washing or doing the laundry, it could be due to a chemical found in one of those products. Maybe it’s time to switch things up with a natural product!
Another common, but perhaps surprising, eczema trigger is the food you consume. Yes, the link between eczema and diet is stronger than you might think. To help you determine which foods are triggering a reaction, consider trying an elimination diet. As the name suggests, this involves temporarily eliminating the consumption of certain foods and then reintroducing them one at a time to judge a reaction. Carefully monitoring the results can provide valuable insight into how your body works. Be sure to work with a dietician, nutritionist or physician when undergoing an elimination diet - especially when children are involved - to make sure your diet still contains all the essential nutrients.
Protect your Skin
As we actively use our hands every day, it’s crucial to keep them safe from irritants as much as possible. What better way to protect your hands than by wearing gloves? These Remedywear gloves for adults and kids are made with eco-friendly TENCEL and embedded with anti-inflammatory zinc to create a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that soothes irritated skin. Wear them overtop a moisturizer during the day to help lock in the moisture and boost faster healing or wear them overnight to protect your skin from scratching while you sleep. For day time use, these fingerless glove for kids are great because don't restrict the use of the fingertips.
Change your Soap
It’s important to wash your hands but washing with the wrong kind of soap can actually do more damage than good. This is because most soaps contain harsh chemicals that dry out and further irritate your already sensitive skin. To prevent this from happening, switch to natural soaps that contain olive oil or a fatty base. These are best for soothing itchy and irritated eczema because they provide moisture to the skin. Remember to rinse your hands with water and pat dry with a towel. Follow up with a soothing moisturizer.
Moisturize Often
To soothe cracked, dry skin or painful blisters on your fingers or hands, you’ll need a nourishing moisturizer that is rich in emollients Be wary of prescription cream or over the counter products as very often, these contain chemicals or toxins that will only exacerbate your symptoms or give you a bad reaction. Stick with natural skin care products as much as possible. We love this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream because with only 6 ingredients, it’s gentle and nourishing for babies and adults. Its soft, buttery texture feels amazing on itchy bumps on your fingers and soothes without any burning or stinging.
Try Dry Wrap Therapy
Dry wrapping can provide fast relief for advanced eczema flare-ups. Simply apply a layer of natural eczema cream to your hands and then cover up with a dry Remedywear™ glove or sleeve for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
Dry wrapping protects the skin while allowing the cream to further penetrate the skin.
Make sure to also check out how
For more tips on how to keep your hand eczema under control, check out this great video!
What products or tips do you have for those suffering from hand eczema? Let us know on our Facebook page!
References
https://eczemahelp.ca/hand-eczema/
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/hand-eczema/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352742
