Hand Eczema Treatment

Eczema also known as dermatitis is a skin disorder that affects around 10% of people. A person suffering from eczema on hands will show symptoms like redness, pain, dryness of skin which can develop to peeling and flaking, cracks, itching and blistering. There are many types of hand eczema, and according to the type of the condition, the doctor will recommend the appropriate eczema treatment.

There are mainly three causes of hand eczema. One of the most common type of eczema is atopic eczema, which occurs in people who are born with tendency to have allergic reactions affecting their skin. For example, people with atopic eczema will also suffer from asthma or hay fever conditions. This condition is seen in many children. Another type is allergic contact dermatitis, where a person shows an allergic reaction when the person comes in contact with a particular chemical repeatedly. For example, when certain people use nickel jewelry, or hair dye or latex gloves, develop this condition. The third type of dermatitis is caused due an irritant chemical. For example people can develop hand dermatitis, if they are exposed to shampoos, perfumes, cement, oils, etc. This occurs in people whose job involves using these chemicals, for example people working in salons, people who need to frequently wash their hands at job, coming in contact with soap, people using detergent to do laundry, etc. These were the main types of hand eczema. Here are some tips on home care measures, that one needs to follow, to care for the hands and to prevent further irritation of the skin.

Medical Treatment

Seek an experienced dermatologist's help for eczema rash treatment. The doctor will ask you many questions regarding the activities you perform at home and office. This way, the doctor will help you to find out the exact cause of the condition. The doctor might give you a prescription for a corticosteroid medication, that needs to be applied to the affected skin. For a more gentler treatment, the doctor might prescribe non-corticosteroid creams.

If you are suffering from allergies, then oral antihistamines might also be prescribed. The doctor will also advise you on the type of products you need to use. To treat eczema, one needs to use the right type of products for hand washing and hand moisturizing, which the doctor will prescribe.

Home Care Measures

Some additional eczema home remedies should also be followed, to prevent and treat hand eczema. Here are the various natural treatment tips, that will help you in treating and preventing dermatitis.

• To prevent eczema rash, use washing machine to do laundry, and use a dishwasher to do the dishes.
• If you can't use a dishwasher, then use a long handled brush to do the dishes, and wear cotton gloves and then disposable vinyl gloves on top of the cotton gloves.
• Avoid using hot water to wash hands, always use warm water and unscented soaps or liquid to wash your hands.
• Avoid using antibacterial soap, deodorants or detergents. If you must use some cleaning products, then always wear the cotton gloves with disposable vinyl gloves combination.
• While shampooing your hair, tie a rubber band around the gloves to prevent water from entering. Or ask somebody else to shampoo your hair.
• You can use soapless cleansers like Cetaphil, Spectro Jel, Seaquanil, etc. or soaps for eczema. Keep a jar of petroleum jelly, near the sinks in your house. After washing your hands, apply the petroleum jelly to prevent dry skin. If you feel it is too sticky then wipe off the excess with tissue or use water based moisturizers.
• Wear protective gloves while handling any citrus fruits, onions, meat, peppers or other such foodstuffs.
• Keep washing the cotton gloves with non-scented mild detergents, and use an oil moisturizer on hands before wearing the gloves.

This was about eczema hand treatment and other self care measures you need to follow, while doing your normal chores. So, contact a dermatologist and follow the above home care measures to prevent and control eczema.