Hand eczema is a chronic disease that affects the skin in the hands and palms. It is also referred to as hand dermatitis and can be characterized by dry skin, itchiness, rashes, patches, and sometimes blisters and ulceration. There are several factors that can contribute to hand eczema, and dealing with it requires an extensive approach. While hand eczema may have similarities to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, it is a different condition altogether and should be treated differently. Eczema has no known cure until now, so the best way to deal with it is to prevent it in the first place or at least control occurrences of flare ups.

The biggest factor that can contribute to hand eczema are allergens or irritants, therefore, the best way to prevent it is by protecting your skin from irritants like soap, detergent, solvents, or oil. However, there is no way you can completely avoid being exposed to such elements so the best thing you can do is to always wear plastic gloves when working with these kinds of chemicals to avoid irritation. Whether you’re driving your car, washing the dishes, preparing a meal, or simply washing your hair make sure you have your gloves on if you have hand eczema initially.

Bacteria can easily spread and contaminate healthy skin, so if you are suffering from hand eczema, be careful when it comes to handling food. Wear your gloves in the kitchen, especially if you’re the one preparing the meal for the family. If you contaminate food with your hands, there’s a huge chance that either you or the people around you can acquire oral infection or food poisoning.

In the same manner, watch the kind of food that you eat. One study shows that consuming food with high content of nickel can lead to the irritation of both skin in hands and feet. This is very true especially if you have any form of skin allergy. This is the reason why people who have eczema are advised to stay away from processed meat and canned goods because these types of food have enough nickel content that can cause eczema flare ups.

If you have hand eczema, make sure you include vitamin C- and iron-rich foods in your diet. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, and it helps regulate histamine without the side effects created by other medications. It is also an immune system booster, which means it helps protect the body from diseases like eczema. Iron, on the other hand, carries oxygen to skin cells, thus, keeping the skin healthy and well-moisturized.

Skin dryness is a huge risk factor for hand eczema, but aside from keeping your skin hydrated through a healthy diet, you should also apply skin moisturizer on a daily basis. A quality moisturizer should help repair skin cells and protect it from potential damage caused by irritants. Many people think that they can keep their skin properly hydrated just by washing or bathing alone. However, though it may sound logical, frequent washing can actually contribute to skin dryness. Water can strip off your skin’s natural oil and moisture and this leads to dryness. On the other hand, moisturizers are designed to keep your skin moisturized without stripping off its natural barrier. Therefore, make it a habit of applying skin moisturizer especially after taking a bath.

Another way to keep your skin moisturized is by applying topical creams intended for the treatment of eczema. Topical creams have anti-inflammatory elements, which can help reduce the itchiness and the swelling of the skin during flare ups. They also have different strength levels, and generally, a low strength topical cream is enough to soothe skin that’s affected by eczema.

You cannot get rid of eczema overnight. In fact, you have a higher chance of experiencing flare ups if you’ve had the condition in the past. In short, there is no cure for eczema. The good thing is that it’s possible for your skin to be restored as long as you are careful and not expose yourself to anything that might trigger it. Finally, don’t forget to visit your doctor at least once in two months. It will be easier for you to deal with hand eczema if there is someone to guide you and help you along the way.