Hand Dermatitis — More Than Simple Dry Skin

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — If your hands are dry, red, cracked and itchy, no matter how much lotion you apply, it's probably not just a simple case of dry skin.

It could be one or more types of hand dermatitis, a common inflammation of the skin. Many things can cause or contribute to hand dermatitis, including allergies, stress, genetic factors and environmental irritants. Dermatitis, also called eczema, is treatable with self-care and medications.

The December issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these tips to avoid more serious skin problems if the skin on your hands tends to be dry and irritated:

* Avoid frequent hand washing.

* Use lukewarm or cool water when you wash your hands or bathe. Pat your skin dry and apply generous amounts of a heavy moisturizer.

* Use a hypoallergenic soap such as Vanicream, Aveeno Dry Skin, Oilatum unscented or Neutrogena Original Formula Fragrance Free.

* Frequently apply moisturizing creams such as Vanicream, Aveeno, Cetaphil or DML.

If these measures don't work or you're losing sleep or distracted due to painful skin, see your doctor. No two cases are alike so treatments can vary considerably. Options include:

* Ointments or lotions: Corticosteroid products may help relieve itching and inflammation. Newer topical cream immunomodulators – tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) may be used in sensitive areas or if other strategies fail.

* Prescription antihistamines or oral corticosteroids: These may help with intense itching or swelling.

* Extremely severe cases may merit using a course of antibiotics, medicated soaks, light treatments and possibly an oral immune-altering medication.

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Erik Kaldor 904-953-2299

Mayo Clinic Scottsdale — Lynn Closway 480-301-4337

Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll free 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.

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