What causes hand eczema?

The causes of hand eczema can vary from person to person. Several different types of eczema can affect the hands and more than one type can occur in the same person at the same time.

Types of hand eczema

• Atopic eczema
• Allergic contact eczema
• Irritant contact eczema

Atopic eczema

People with atopic eczema, the most common type of eczema, are born with a tendency to develop allergic reactions affecting their skin. They may suffer from eczema on other parts of their body, as well as on their hands. Atopic eczema is also linked with a tendency to food allergy in early childhood as well as asthma and hay fever. These ‘atopic’ conditions often run in families. Atopic eczema now affects about 1 in 5 young children in the UK but many people ‘grow out’ of their condition as they become adults. However, the condition can persist or return in adulthood. Atopic eczema can be set off by external trigger factors or stressful situations.

Some common triggers:

• Extremes of temperature
• Pollen, house dust mites
• Skin infections
• Stress
• Other allergens

Allergic contact eczema

Allergic contact eczema often affects the hands and occurs when you become allergic to specific substances, perhaps after repeated contact with them over a period of time. You may have been using or wearing something for some time with no skin problems, then one day you develop allergic contact eczema where the trigger substance or ‘allergen’ has touched the skin. The skin reaction may not appear immediately but a day or two after contact with the allergen. Sometimes this delay can make it difficult to work out exactly what has caused the problem.

Some common allergens:

• Chemicals in hair dye
• Chromate, which is used in the tanning of leather and in cement
• Latex found in rubber gloves and shoes
• Nickel, which is often found in jewellery
• Perfumes found in fragrances and toiletries
• Plant extracts found in cosmetics, or plants in the house and garden
• Preservatives found in cosmetics and toiletries

Irritant contact eczema

Irritant contact eczema may develop after frequent contact with things that irritate the skin. The protective outer layers of the skin become inflamed and sore, dry and chapped. Some people’s skin is more easily upset than others. Many people develop irritant contact eczema at work, but household cleaning products can also cause it, and mothers with young babies are often affected because of constant washing and cleaning. The problem is usually worse in cold, dry weather.

Some common irritants:

• Acids, eg citrus juice and vinegar, and alkalis, which are the opposite of acids, eg toothpaste, baking soda and oven cleaner
• Frequent contact with water
• Handling certain foods
• Oils and grease
• Soap, shampoo and detergent
• Solvents