Frequently-Asked Questions

The most common form of eczema is atopic eczema, which affects 15-20% of school children (between 1 and 2 out of 10) and 2-10% of adults (up to 1 in 10). It has been reported that up to 10% of the population (1 in every 10 people) may suffer from hand eczema, and it is more common in certain professions where people come into contact with trigger substances at work on a daily basis. For example, as many as 30% (almost a third) of nurses suffer from hand eczema. However, hand eczema is not always related to contact with substances at work or in the home.

If your skin is red, dry, itchy and blistered, you may have eczema. If the skin on your hands is like this, you may have hand eczema, and if they have been this way for some time, you may have chronic hand eczema. However, other conditions can resemble hand eczema. Your healthcare professional will be able to identify the problem and is your best source of advice.

If you think you have hand eczema, the sooner you see your healthcare professional, the sooner it can be identified and treated. If you have already been diagnosed, follow their advice. If you continue to have attacks and don’t know what to do, please speak to your healthcare professional again.

Some people are allergic to substances such as the latex in rubber gloves. Others may develop eczema on contact with irritants, such as detergents. Atopy is a tendency to develop eczema, hay fever and asthma that runs in families. Atopic eczema tends to affect different parts of the body, but may also affect just the hands. The term endogenous hand eczema is used when no obvious cause for the condition can be found.

Allergies that affect the skin can be identified with a patch test. This involves applying small amounts of the substances that commonly trigger eczema to the skin on your back. After a few days, the skin will appear red only where a substance has been applied to which you are allergic.

If you know which substances cause your eczema, it is sensible to avoid coming into contact with them. Barrier creams and gloves can help protect your hands and hypoallergenic gloves are available for those who are allergic to rubber or latex. For more information about treatments for hand eczema, please see the ‘Treating Hand Eczema’ section of this website, or speak to your healthcare professional.

Avoid detergents and soap - even soap with emollients. These products remove the skin’s natural oils, causing irritation. Use only water or an emollient cream when cleansing your skin.

Talk to your healthcare professional if you suspect your child has eczema. Healthcare professionals can provide advice and offer treatments to suit your child’s condition. Talk to carers or school staff about treatment and how to keep your child comfortable during the day and provide an emollient dispenser for use when needed.

In babies and young children, food allergy may be linked to the development of eczema, but in most cases eczema has nothing to do with food. In adults, eczema is hardly ever linked to food allergy. If you are allergic to food, it is very unlikely to affect just your skin or your hands.

Many children who develop atopic eczema are free of the condition when they reach adulthood, but about one quarter still has eczema after the age of sixteen.

In the majority of cases, there is no treatment that will prevent further attacks. However, with modern treatment, the symptoms of itching and soreness can be relieved effectively and the condition controlled.

Topical treatments, which are applied to the skin, include: emollients, which soothe and soften; steroids, which control inflammation and non-steroidal immunosuppressants, which control over-activity of the immune system in the skin. In addition, eczema that has become infected can be treated with topical, antibacterial or antifungal creams, as necessary. Please see the ‘Treating Hand Eczema’ section of this website for more information.

The aim of treatment is to soothe and control eczema to prevent severe attacks. During a severe eczema attack, it may be necessary to take a short course of high-dose steroids, an immunosuppressant or a retinoid to get the condition under control. If your eczema is not under control, you should see your healthcare professional for further advice and treatment, they may be able to work with you to find a treatment that can help.

Some people find exposure to sunshine is of benefit and ultraviolet light is sometimes used as a treatment for eczema. However, others may be sensitive to sunlight. Hot conditions can make eczema worse if the affected areas become sweaty. Furthermore, too much ultraviolet light damages skin, whether it is affected by eczema or not, and has been associated with premature ageing and skin cancer. Please speak to your healthcare professional for more information.

Click the ‘Treating Hand Eczema’ button to the left of this page to find out about the treatments available. If you would like more information about any of the treatments listed on this website, or about any treatments that aren’t listed, please speak to your healthcare professional.