A Dermatologist Looks at Hand Eczema – and Common Treatments:

One of the more common problems faced by Dermatologists like me is what is called “hand eczema,” which is a global term for dry, rough, and often itchy conditions of the hands. Some cases also involve the feet.

This condition of hand eczema can be genetic – in which case we sometimes call it “atopic dermatitis,” meaning that it runs in certain families, along with asthma, hay fever of food allergies. It can also be triggered by low oil level in the skin – or even by a true allergy.

Up to 40% of people with hand eczema are allergic to a preservative, fragrance, dye, or component of latex – and sometimes a type of allergy testing offered by Dermatologists like me – called allergy patch testing – can help to uncover the culprit chemical. I am a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, an 1100-member organization of Dermatologists who offer this type of skin allergy testing.

Most Dermatologists treat this painful, dry, or itchy condition either with a prescription steroid cream or ointment – such as Clobetasol, Halobetasol, Betamethasone dipropionate, or Dilforasone diacetate – or else a steroid-free products, such as Eucrisa Ointment (crisaborole).

So if you or a family member is suffering from itching, dryness, or rough areas of the hands (or feet), consider seeing a Dermatologist. There are over 13,000 Dermatologists in the United States, and you could find one close to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology’s website, AAD.org, then choosing the Public tab, then plugging in your zip code. A list of members of the American Academy of Dermatology in your own geographic area will come up.

Sometimes Dermatologists like me start patients on oral steroids, or use a steroid shot, or even start a series of injections called Dupixent® injections, to help with the rash and itching of hand eczema. We also consider one of several systemic medications such as cyclosporine, for really severe cases.

in 2016, I became the President of a company called Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). We manufacture and distribute steroid-free creams – called GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength, and GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/High Strength – which both reduce dryness and roughness on the hands (and feet), and also remove rough areas of the skin because of their Glycolic Acid ingredient, an organic and natural chemical originally discovered in sugarcane (1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength: $19.95/2 oz: $29.95; 8 oz: $89.95; 1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/High Strength: $29.95/2 oz; $44.95/8 oz: $134.95).

The moral of the story is “never itch in silence:” there is much new therapy to help with the itching and dryness of hand eczema. Consider getting evaluated by a Board-certified Dermatologist today.