Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC TherapiesPrescriptionsProceduresFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
OTC Therapies
Prescriptions
Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Handeczemacan interfere with many aspects of life and become debilitating. It’s important to treat hand eczema promptly to prevent it from getting worse or becomingchronic.
Some handeczema can be treatedwith moisturizing, a good skin care routine, and protecting hands from exposure to triggers. Eczema that is more serious or persistent may need topical or systemic medication. Less commonly, light therapy may be used.
This article discusses how you can manage hand eczema (or hand dermatitis), including home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, prescriptions, and procedures.
Irina Esau / Getty Images
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
The most important parts of treating and preventinghand eczemainvolve lifestyle practices.
Avoiding Triggers
Avoiding contact with anything that irritates your skin is key to healing and preventing hand eczema. Anything can be a handeczema trigger, but common ones include:
Skin Care
How you wash your hands makes a difference.
When you clean your hands:
A goodskin care routinewith proper moisturizing are often overlooked, but it is key to treating hand eczema, even if other measures are needed. Adhering to this routine, even when your hand eczema is not noticeable, can help preventflare-ups(periods when the eczema is worse).
When Soap Is NeededWhile soap substitutes such as cream cleansers are better for eczema, it’s important to note that they do not destroy bacteria, viruses (such as the one that causesCOVID-19), and other pathogens.You need to use soap and water or sanitizer if sanitizing is needed, not just dirt removal.
When Soap Is Needed
While soap substitutes such as cream cleansers are better for eczema, it’s important to note that they do not destroy bacteria, viruses (such as the one that causesCOVID-19), and other pathogens.You need to use soap and water or sanitizer if sanitizing is needed, not just dirt removal.
While soap substitutes such as cream cleansers are better for eczema, it’s important to note that they do not destroy bacteria, viruses (such as the one that causesCOVID-19), and other pathogens.
You need to use soap and water or sanitizer if sanitizing is needed, not just dirt removal.
Protecting Your Hands
If you can’t avoid your triggers altogether, there are measures you can take to help protect your hands, such as wearing gloves.
Other hand-protecting tips include:
Hand Eczema and WorkIf you have a history ofhand eczema, you will need to make some considerations when it comes to working:If possible, choose a career other than the ones associated with increased hand eczema, including hairdressing, healthcare work, cooking, and cleaning.Insist that your employer provide or allow accommodations, such as wearing gloves.Consider taking time off work during a hand eczema flare-up to allow your skin barrier to heal.
Hand Eczema and Work
If you have a history ofhand eczema, you will need to make some considerations when it comes to working:If possible, choose a career other than the ones associated with increased hand eczema, including hairdressing, healthcare work, cooking, and cleaning.Insist that your employer provide or allow accommodations, such as wearing gloves.Consider taking time off work during a hand eczema flare-up to allow your skin barrier to heal.
If you have a history ofhand eczema, you will need to make some considerations when it comes to working:
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
OTC topical (applied to the skin) treatmentsare the first line of treatment for hand eczema. A good moisturizer (also called anemollient) helps to hydrate the skin, prevent itching, and repair the skin barrier.
When choosing a moisturizer:
Some products to look for include:
When Can I Stop Treatment?Even when your hands look free of eczema, it can take months for your skin to heal fully. Continue using your skin care routine to help your skin finish healing and prevent future flare-ups. If you are using prescription ointments or medication, follow the advice of your healthcare provider on how long to use it.
When Can I Stop Treatment?
Even when your hands look free of eczema, it can take months for your skin to heal fully. Continue using your skin care routine to help your skin finish healing and prevent future flare-ups. If you are using prescription ointments or medication, follow the advice of your healthcare provider on how long to use it.
In some cases, hand eczema doesn’t respond well enough to a skin care routine alone, andmedication may be needed.
Topical
Topical medications are typically the first choice of medicinal treatment for hand eczema.
Steroids
Topical steroidsreduce inflammation, which helps with redness, soreness, and cracked skin. They are effective in the short term and generally are used for about two weeks. Long-term use (over six weeks) should be avoided because they canthin the skin.
Topical Immunomodulators
The topicalcalcineurininhibitorsElidel(pimecrolimus) andProtopic(tacrolimus) are approved for treatingatopic dermatitis, another form of eczema. They can be used off-label for hand eczema for people who can’t use topical steroids. They don’t thin the skin, so they can also be used for longer than steroids.
Zoryve (roflumilast) blocks the enzyme phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) and is approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults and children 6 years of age and older.
Ultraviolet (UV) light protection, such as sunscreen and protective clothing, should be used if you are using calcineurin inhibitors.
Antimicrobials
Eczema makes skin moreprone to infection. If you have an infection on your hand, you may be prescribed a topical treatment (go on the skin) or systemic medication (work throughout the body).
Systemic
If symptoms are severe and other treatments have not been effective, oralcorticosteroids, such asprednisolone, may be prescribed.
Long-term (over three weeks) or frequent use of these medications is advised against as they have significant side effects and increase the risk for conditions such as osteoporosis (progressive bone loss), glaucoma (high pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve), andcataracts(clouding of the lens of the eye).
There is currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved systemic treatment for chronic hand eczema in the United States, but several drugs are being explored.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Specialist-Driven Procedures
Phototherapyis an option for hand eczema that hasn’t responded to topical steroids. It involves the application of UV light or a combination of UV light and the medicationpsoralen(this combined treatment is called PUVA).
Psoralenincreases the sensitivity to UV. It can be taken orally, but that can cause side effects like nausea and necessitates full-body UV protection. A topical cream is also available, which avoids these issues.
Treatments are typically two to three times a week for a few months. Long-term treatment can increase the risk of skin cancer. One study showed that using anexcimerlaser (a device that produces ultraviolet light in a tight beam) to administer the UV was effective and reduced the cumulative exposure to UV radiation as it targets specific sites.
Phototherapy should be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Don’t try to do it yourself using sun exposure or tanning beds. This increases your risk of skin cancer.
Summary
Avoiding irritants and having amoisturizing skin care routineare the best ways to treat hand eczema. In some cases, medicated ointment, systemic medication, or phototherapy may be necessary.
A Word From Verywell
You use your hands to do nearly everything, which makes hand eczematough to deal with. If your hand eczema symptoms become concerning, make an appointment with a dermatologist or your primary care provider.They can help youfind the best treatment for you.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Children
Hand eczema is not contagious. You can’t pass it along to others, so there is no need to avoid touching.Learn MoreEczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Is Not Contagious
Hand eczema is not contagious. You can’t pass it along to others, so there is no need to avoid touching.
Learn MoreEczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Is Not Contagious
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Elsner P, Agner T.Hand eczema: treatment.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(S1):13-21. doi:10.1111/jdv.16062Salvador JFS, Mendaza FH, Garcés MH, et al.Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hand eczema.Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas(English Edition). 2020;111(1):26-40. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2019.12.007National Eczema Association.Hand eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry, scaly, and painful hands could be hand eczema.National Eczema Society.Hand eczema.DermNet.Hand dermatitis.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Eczema.Eczema Society of Canada.Treating hand eczema.Dubin C, Del Duca E, Guttman-Yassky E.Drugs for the treatment of chronic hand eczema: successes and key challenges.TCRM. 2020;Volume 16:1319-1332. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S292504Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve label.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Elsner P, Agner T.Hand eczema: treatment.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(S1):13-21. doi:10.1111/jdv.16062Salvador JFS, Mendaza FH, Garcés MH, et al.Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hand eczema.Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas(English Edition). 2020;111(1):26-40. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2019.12.007National Eczema Association.Hand eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry, scaly, and painful hands could be hand eczema.National Eczema Society.Hand eczema.DermNet.Hand dermatitis.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Eczema.Eczema Society of Canada.Treating hand eczema.Dubin C, Del Duca E, Guttman-Yassky E.Drugs for the treatment of chronic hand eczema: successes and key challenges.TCRM. 2020;Volume 16:1319-1332. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S292504Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve label.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Elsner P, Agner T.Hand eczema: treatment.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(S1):13-21. doi:10.1111/jdv.16062Salvador JFS, Mendaza FH, Garcés MH, et al.Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hand eczema.Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas(English Edition). 2020;111(1):26-40. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2019.12.007National Eczema Association.Hand eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry, scaly, and painful hands could be hand eczema.National Eczema Society.Hand eczema.DermNet.Hand dermatitis.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Eczema.Eczema Society of Canada.Treating hand eczema.Dubin C, Del Duca E, Guttman-Yassky E.Drugs for the treatment of chronic hand eczema: successes and key challenges.TCRM. 2020;Volume 16:1319-1332. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S292504Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve label.
Elsner P, Agner T.Hand eczema: treatment.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(S1):13-21. doi:10.1111/jdv.16062
Salvador JFS, Mendaza FH, Garcés MH, et al.Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hand eczema.Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas(English Edition). 2020;111(1):26-40. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2019.12.007
National Eczema Association.Hand eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry, scaly, and painful hands could be hand eczema.
National Eczema Society.Hand eczema.
DermNet.Hand dermatitis.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Eczema.
Eczema Society of Canada.Treating hand eczema.
Dubin C, Del Duca E, Guttman-Yassky E.Drugs for the treatment of chronic hand eczema: successes and key challenges.TCRM. 2020;Volume 16:1319-1332. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S292504
Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve label.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
