8 Ways to Deal With That Frustrating Hand Eczema
Hand eczema is one of those things that might not sound so bad...unless you actually have it. It’s easy for people to dismiss eczema as dry skin that just goes a little overboard, but as anyone with the condition knows, there’s way more to the itchy, inflamed story than that.
8 Ways To Deal With That Frustrating Hand Eczema
1. Most treatments, except in more severe cases, are topical, meaning they are applied directly to the affected skin
2. To treat the inflammation, steroids and calcineurin inhibitors are used – these are both prescription medicines in most countries
a. Steroids come in different strength, your doctor will advise the correct product and how to use it
b. Many people fear the side effects of steroids, such as thinning of the skin; however, the risk of side effects is mostly with improper use of steroids, such as too much for too long a period; used wisely and carefully, they do more good than harm
c. Weaker steroids are used for thin / sensitive areas of skin, such as the face
d. Calcineurin inhibitors have fewer side effects, but are generally not as effective as more powerful steroids; your doctor can advise you on which is best for your condition, because no two people are the same or have the same eczema
3. Dryness is managed with moisturizers; however, not all moisturizers are the same
a. Try to choose an eczema cream with a minimum of potentially irritating ingredients – unfortunately some “natural” or “organic” products have raw plant extracts which can be irritating to eczema skin
b. Ideally, choose a cream that you are happy to apply often; you should be applying several times a day, once is not sufficient for eczema skin
c. Some moisturizers have ingredients, such as ceramides or filaggrin breakdown products, that help repair the skin barrier – these are ideal choices
d. Avoid aqueous cream, which can irritate the skin and make your eczema worse
4. Itch is often neglected, but is very important to manage well; the less you scratch, the less itch you will have, and the better the other treatments can work
a. Low dose menthol creams are very effective at relieving itch
b. Anti-histamines tend not to work well for eczema itch
c. Calamine lotion should be avoided, because it is very drying to the skin
d. At night time, kids might benefit from wearing mitts, which lessen the damage to the skin from involuntary scratching during sleep
5. Antibiotics may be required if there is concurrent skin infection
6. Bandages and wraps are sometimes used to prevent scratching and aid moisturizing
7. UV light therapy is useful for some adults with eczema
8. Avoidance of triggers and things that will exacerbate your eczema
a. Dust and animal dander – like people with asthma, you may benefit from reducing exposure to these at home
b. Food allergies – seek out dietary advice from a professional to identify and eliminate potential allergens
c. As best you can avoid contact with harsh chemicals, soaps and detergents
d. Use a non-biological clothes detergent, and rinse clothes twice if possible
e. Avoid use of soaps – choose a non-soap based sensitive skin wash instead
f. Wear non-rubber, non-powdered gloves doing household chores
g. Maintain a healthy mind – stress is a well known trigger; avoiding stress can involve enlisting the help and support of family, friends, and even colleagues at work
Overall, aim to keep your skin well moisturized over the longer term (which requires ongoing moisturizing between flare-ups), and treat flare-ups as early as possible
Sources: SuuBalm Malaysia
