Our hands are used daily and go through almost everything. It's no wonder they are particularly susceptible to skin problems like hand eczema. But how do you know if it's really neurodermatitis? And what can you do if your hands are already dry and cracked?
What does neurodermatitis on the hands look like?
Neurodermatitis on the hands often manifests as dry, cracked skin that itches intensely. The affected areas may also be red, flaky, or slightly inflamed and can spread to the wrists and fingertips. Sometimes small blisters appear, which burst and ooze, including between the fingers. Repeated scratching can thicken the skin, making it appear rough and brittle.
What causes neurodermatitis on the hands?
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 area where neurodermatitis occurs, especially in adulthood, is the hands. This is not surprising, as our hands come into contact with numerous substances daily and are exposed to various environmental influences. These include cleaning agents and detergents, certain soaps and care products with fragrances and preservatives, disinfectants, frequent hand washing, allergens, stress, climate, or general moisture. Damage to the skin can allow harmful substances to penetrate even more easily and exacerbate symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.
What can I do about neurodermatitis on my hands?
To relieve your symptoms and promote skin barrier regeneration, you should definitely consider these three points in your skincare routine:
- Reduce hand washing and avoid harmful substances: Wash your hands as infrequently as possible and largely avoid contact with irritants, such as aggressive cleaning agents, to relieve your skin and prevent additional irritation.
- Use moisturizing, pH-neutral soaps: Opt for moisturizing soaps specifically formulated for sensitive skin that preserve the skin's natural oil content to minimize dryness and irritation.
- Consistent basic therapy with plenty of moisturizing creams: Regularly moisturize your skin, especially after contact with water, with a moisturizing base cream 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 plant-based glycerin or evening primrose oil to hydrate the skin effectively.
- High lipid content: It has long been known that the galenic formulation of a care product is important for strengthening the damaged skin barrier.
- Free from fragrances and synthetic preservatives: Avoid products with artificial fragrances, parabens, or other potentially irritating ingredients.
- Hypoallergenic formula: A hypoallergenic formula minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and irritations.
Gloves for neurodermatitis – rather not?
Rubber, latex, or even disposable gloves are meant to protect the skin, but you should avoid them as much as possible if you have neurodermatitis. The reason: The material doesn't let liquid in, but it also doesn't let it out. Sweat can further irritate an existing eczema.
Drugstores now offer allergy-friendly protective gloves specifically designed for sensitive skin – perhaps this is an option for you? Otherwise, if possible, you should not wear them for longer than two hours at a time to allow air to reach your hands periodically. Of course, this is difficult to implement for people working in the healthcare sector.
O U R E X P E R T
Dr. med Michaela Hagemann I boep-founder, physician & 3-time mom
