What to Do When You Have Eczema on Your Hands.
If you have eczema on your hands, you’re not alone.
In fact, nearly 10% of the US population has eczema of some kind — whether it’s hand eczema or another type of eczema — and that number has been rising steadily in recent years.
This article will give you expert advice on how to treat eczema if you have it on your hands, so that you can get back to enjoying your life without having to worry about the effects of the disease and its symptoms on your daily life and activities.
2 Simple Steps to treat eczema if you have it on your hands
It is important not to let it spread and should be kept under control as soon as possible. Dry skin can crack very easily and become irritated, so it’s best to take action quickly if you suspect eczema might be present.
The first step you should take if you have eczema on your hands is buying a good quality, hand cream/lotion which contains all natural ingredients and water as a base substance instead of petroleum or other harmful chemicals.
Petroleum will only aggravate dry skin while all natural ingredients such as Vitamin E, sunflower oil and aloe vera work just fine without causing any damage to your skin at all. Once you apply these lotions, it is important that you do not wash them off with soap and water because they help keep your skin moisturized.
Instead use an alcohol-free cleanser or even better yet an exfoliating scrub (which will remove dead skin cells) before applying lotion again. If you follow these two simple steps then within a few days (or weeks) depending on how severe your case is, your eczema should clear up completely.
As long as you keep using moisturizing lotions regularly then there shouldn’t be any problems in keeping it away for good. 4 Steps to treat eczema if you have it on your hands:
- 1. Buy some special creams designed specifically for people who suffer from eczema like Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion Fragrance Free For Very Dry Skin .
- 2. Apply lots of moisturizer every day - especially after washing your hands. A light coating is often enough but putting more on won't hurt either! Make sure you don't get any into your eyes though - it's stinging and unpleasant! Also, remember to avoid harsh soaps as they are bad for delicate skin like yours and make things worse. Soap also dries out skin - something we want to avoid when we're trying to fix eczema!
- 3. If possible, try to keep your hands away from anything that might irritate them such as chlorine or detergents (which can cause a reaction known as contact dermatitis). This may not be easy if you work in a job that involves manual labor but do what you can!
- 4. Try not to scratch at all - even if it feels really good at first! Scratching will only damage your skin and make things worse in the long run. It may be hard at first but with time, patience and perseverance, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to overcome eczema with ease once again!
Tips for treating eczema with medication
There are a few types of medications that are approved by Health Canada for treating eczema.
They include topical steroids, anthralin and calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). In addition, physicians may prescribe oral immunosuppressants to manage more severe cases of eczema in adults. The most common drugs used in Canada include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine and cyclosporine (Neoral).
Some patients also get relief from taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin if they have milder forms of eczema known as atopic dermatitis.
If you’re trying to figure out which treatment will work best for you, ask your doctor about what options are available and which ones might be right for your particular case. Remember: It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when using any medication so you can avoid possible side effects.
And don’t forget to take all of your prescriptions with you each time you visit your pharmacist—even if it seems like an insignificant detail.
He or she is there to help fill your prescription, but he or she is also there to make sure you're following directions correctly and working with a team of health professionals who know how best to help manage your condition.
If you're not sure whether something is normal or not after reading through these tips, it's always better to err on the side of caution and talk things over with a professional rather than try something new without consulting someone first.
2 Things you should do before going to bed at night
It’s a good idea to warm your hands up before applying lotion to eczema-prone areas of your body; for example, hold them under hot water for a minute or two, or place them in front of a space heater.
Once they’re warmed up and dry, apply moisturizer to your hands in an upward motion from wrist to fingertips and avoid applying it directly from its container onto your skin.
It’s better if you dip your fingers into it rather than scooping it out with a spoon. Don’t be afraid to use a large amount of cream—you want to completely cover all affected areas.
Also, make sure that your hands are completely dry before putting on gloves (especially latex ones) or socks because moisture can further irritate sensitive skin.
If you have access to a humidifier at night, it can help keep moisture levels down while you sleep. Some people find relief by wearing cotton gloves during sleep.
Cotton is also easier to clean, so it may reduce some symptoms like itching or redness caused by dirty sheets. For severe cases of eczema on your hands, it might be worth investing in woolen mittens or fingerless gloves made from material such as bamboo fabric.
This is especially true if you’re going through a particularly bad flare-up and need additional protection for your skin overnight. Make sure that whatever fabric you choose is comfortable enough to wear all night long without irritating your skin even more!
Finally, try to do activities that don’t require much movement of your hands in cold weather—it will only aggravate existing eczema patches. In warmer weather, there are plenty of things you can do outside to relieve stress and relax while enjoying fresh air.
If possible, do these things early in the day so they don't interfere with other responsibilities later on.
What do you think?
Leave a comment below and let us know what else works for you!
3 Things you can do when your eczema flares up
What’s that rash?
The next time you have an outbreak of eczema, look at your nails. You can almost always trace it back to something that has happened in your life, says David Pariser, M.D., Ph.D., founder of New York City-based Integrated Medical Solutions and author of One Nation Under Stress:
The Trouble with America's Pressure Culture and What We Can Do About It (Harmony).
This is especially true if you experience what Pariser calls eczema herpeticum—itchy red bumps that may swell or turn into blisters and weep fluid or pus like a cold sore—usually around your fingernails or between your fingers.
That's not really eczema, he explains. It's a virus. While stress isn't known to cause outbreaks, it can make them worse.
And when they do flare up, try these strategies for soothing relief:
- 1) Keep hands clean. Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important things you can do, says Pariser. Use soap and water frequently throughout the day, particularly after touching pets or other people who might be carrying viruses.
- 2) Treat existing symptoms. If you've already got a rash, antihistamines such as Benadryl will dry it out, but don't take them too often; they can actually make your skin more sensitive over time.
- 3) Try natural remedies first. If you're using ointments containing steroids, says Pariser, it's likely that your body is becoming dependent on them. Instead, use moisturizers with lactic acid or urea. They're gentler and less likely to trigger a dependency.
- 4) Don't scratch! Scratching makes rashes spread and worsens itching—and even though it feels good in the moment, scratching won't help relieve any pain or discomfort.
- 5) Take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly and manage stress effectively so your body stays healthy overall.
- 6) See a doctor if needed. If all else fails, see a dermatologist who can prescribe stronger medications for long-term control of severe cases.
4 Natural ways to prevent eczema
The first step in preventing eczema flare-ups is treating your skin with natural ingredients that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature. Good choices include aloe vera, sea salt, baking soda, coconut oil and lavender essential oil.
Try making a mixture of any or all of these ingredients using only water as a base; then put it into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your hands when they start feeling dry or sensitive.
Even better: try mixing up separate mixtures for both day and night—you’ll get more moisture at night (when you sleep) and you won’t forget to use it! Another great way to treat eczema naturally is by consuming an alkaline diet, which can help regulate pH levels and reduce inflammation throughout your body.
A simple way to do so is by drinking plenty of filtered water each day. By flushing out toxins from within your body through your kidneys, drinking lots of H2O can actually make an enormous difference in how well you feel physically, emotionally and mentally—and it will also boost circulation while improving cell function overall.
A third option worth considering if you have eczema on your hands is acupuncture therapy; many people find relief from symptoms after just one session with a professional acupuncturist who specializes in working with skin conditions like eczema. The last thing to consider if you have hand eczema?
Sun exposure! If you know you’re going to be outside for long periods of time, cover your hands with gloves before heading out. If possible, opt for lighter fabrics that allow air to circulate easily around your fingers and palms.
Cotton gloves work well because they don't trap heat against your skin but still provide protection from ultraviolet rays.
Using products such as sunscreen lotion and lip balm with SPF during sunny days can be helpful too; just remember not to touch anything else once they're applied!
This helps prevent transferring oils from your hands to other surfaces where they could potentially spread bacteria and irritants.
Keeping your hands clean is important no matter what, but even more so if you have eczema.
Always wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water after being exposed to potentially hazardous substances or allergens such as detergents, solvents, chemicals and fragrances.
Be sure to avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth until you've washed your hands.
Also, keep in mind that alcohol-based sanitizers may dry out your hands and actually increase itching, redness and swelling.
Instead of reaching for a sanitizer, wipe down surfaces with a wet cloth to eliminate germs instead.
It's also a good idea to avoid wearing jewelry whenever possible.
It's often made from metals like nickel and silver, which can cause allergic reactions in some people with eczema.
Plus, it's best to avoid getting rings stuck on your finger whenever you can—not only is it painful when they get caught on things, but it's hard to remove rings without touching your skin directly!
