Hand eczema (also known as hand dermatitis) is a common condition affecting up to 10% of the population. It results from a combination of factors, both internal (e.g. your genetic make-up), and external (e.g. contact with irritants and allergens such as chemicals). The irritant nature of some chemicals means that hand eczema is particularly common in people with jobs involving cleaning, catering, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work. It is an inflammatory condition and is not contagious, but it can still have a major effect on people’s work, social lives and self-esteem.
The main symptoms of hand eczema include one or more of the following:
Redness (erythema)
Itching
Pain
Dryness, to the point of peeling and flaking
Cracks (fissures)
Blisters (vesicles)
There is also a specific type of hand eczema called pompholyx (pronounced Pom-foe-licks, from the Greek word for bubble). The cause of pompholyx is unknown and it tends to occur more commonly in women. Each outbreak consists of the appearance of itchy small blisters on the palms of the hands. The condition may come and go over the course of many years, and is notoriously difficult to treat effectively.
