Contact dermatitis hands types, causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention and home remedy

Hand contact dermatitis is common, especially in young adult females, and accounts for 20–35% of all forms of contact dermatitis.

Hand contact dermatitis is particularly common in industries involving wet work or exposure to chemicals such as cleaning, catering, metalwork, hairdressing, healthcare, housework, painting, and mechanical work.

In this video, we will give you some information about hand contact dermatitis types, causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention and home remedy.

By the way, welcome to Overseas Doctor Youtube Channel again.

Types and causes of contact dermatitis hands

The exact causes of dermatitis are still unclear in modern medicine. But we do know there are some trigger factors that can cause hand dermatitis flare-up. There are also two main types of hand contact dermatitis according to triggers and presentation, they include:

1. Allergic contact dermatitis.
   
   Your body has an allergic reaction to an allergen that it doesn’t like. Common allergens include jewelry metals like nickel, cosmetic products, fragrances, and preservatives. It can take several days after exposure for an itchy, red rash to develop.
   
   
2. Irritant contact dermatitis.
   
   This painful rash tends to come on quickly in response to an irritating substance. Common irritants include detergents, soap, cleaners, and acid.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis hands

Signs and symptoms of hand contact dermatitis include:

1. A red rash on hands.
2. Itching, which may be severe.
3. Dry, cracked, scaly skin.
4. Bumps and blisters, sometimes with oozing and crusting.
5. Swelling, burning, or tenderness.

Hand contact dermatitis isn’t contagious or life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable.

Treatment options for contact dermatitis hands

In most cases, treatment controls the condition but does not cure it.  In people with hand contact dermatitis, avoiding the allergen may help or even clear dermatitis.

So, How can hand dermatitis be treated?

1. Steroid creams and ointments
2. Steroid tablets for severe cases.
3. Calcineurin inhibitors
4. Ultraviolet (UV) Therapy.
5. Systemic immunosuppressants for severe cases.
6. Antibiotics or antifungal cream or tablet if your hand also gets infected.

There may also be other medical treatment advice from specialists according to patient symptoms conditions. These treatments must be supervised by legal dermatologist doctors, because some of them may thin your skin, and others may affect other body organ function.

Prevention and home remedies for contact dermatitis hands

There are some prevention and home remedy advice from our dermatologists, they include:

1. Minimize contact with irritants — even water
2. Use a non-soap cleanser when washing hands
3. Completely avoid allergens that have been identified by patch testing
4. Wear appropriate protective gloves.
5. Apply thick emollients before work.
6. Avoid scratching. Trim your nails.
7. Apply cool, wet compresses.
8. Soak in a comfortably cool bath.
9. Moisturizing the skin regularly.
10. Applying aloe vera gel to the affected area.
11. Try honey or coconut oil, this may speed up skin healing.

Thanks for your watching. Please take care and stay safe.

Contact dermatitis hands types, causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention and home remedy | eczema on hands