Dry, cracked hands? This is how you recognize neurodermatitis on your hands!

Our hands are in use every day and have to endure almost everything. It's no wonder that they are particularly susceptible to skin problems such as hand eczema. But how do you know if it really is neurodermatitis? And what can you do if your hands are already dry and cracked?

What does neurodermatitis look like on the hands?

Neurodermatitis on the hands often manifests itself as dry, cracked skin that itches a lot. The affected areas can also be red, scaly or slightly inflamed and can spread to the wrists and fingertips. Sometimes small blisters appear that burst and ooze, even between the fingers. Repeated scratching can cause the skin to thicken, making it appear rough and brittle.

Where does neurodermatitis on the hands come from?

In our previous blog posts we have already explained that neurodermatitis is caused by a combination of genetic and immunological factors as well as environmental influences.

A typical place where neurodermatitis occurs, especially in adulthood, is the hands. This is not surprising, as our hands come into contact with numerous substances every day and are exposed to various environmental influences. These include cleaning and washing products, certain soaps and care products with fragrances and preservatives, disinfectants, frequent hand washing, allergens, stress, climate or even humidity in general. Damage to the skin makes it even easier for harmful substances to penetrate and intensify the symptoms, creating a vicious circle.

What can I do if I have neurodermatitis on my hands?

To relieve your symptoms and promote the regeneration of the skin barrier, you should definitely consider these three points in your care routine:

1. Reduce hand washing and avoid pollutants : Avoid washing your hands too often and avoid contact with irritants such as aggressive cleaning products as much as possible to relieve your skin and prevent additional irritation.
2. Use moisturizing, pH-neutral soaps : Use moisturizing soaps that are specially formulated for sensitive skin and preserve the skin's natural oil content to minimize dryness and irritation.
3. Consistent basic therapy with plenty of moisturizing creams : Care for your skin regularly with a moisturizing base cream, especially after contact with water, to strengthen the skin barrier and relieve itching.

Hand cream for neurodermatitis – good to know

• Moisturizing ingredients: The hand cream should be rich in moisturizing ingredients such as vegetable glycerin or evening primrose oil to keep the skin well hydrated.

• High lipid content: It has long been known that the galenics of a care product are important for strengthening the damaged skin barrier.

• Fragrance-free and synthetic preservative-free: Avoid products with artificial fragrances, parabens or other potentially irritating ingredients.

• Hypoallergenic formula: A hypoallergenic formula minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and irritation.

Gloves for neurodermatitis – better not?

Although rubber, latex or disposable gloves are supposed to protect the skin, you should avoid them if you have neurodermatitis. The reason: The material doesn't let any liquid in, but it doesn't let any liquid out either. Sweat can further irritate the existing eczema.

Drugstores now sell allergy-friendly protective gloves that have been specially developed for sensitive skin - maybe that's an option for you? Otherwise, if possible, you shouldn't wear them for more than two hours at a time so that your hands can be exposed to air. Of course, that's difficult to implement for people who work in the healthcare sector.