Eczema is an unpleasant and painful ailment that can affect any part of the body. This pathology is quite common. Of all people who complain to a dermatologist, 25% are patients with eczema on their hands. There are many causes of the disease, but most often the hands suffer, because they are constantly in contact with the environment, aggressive substances and are not protected by clothing.
On the hands of eczema heals at a slow pace, because the hands are constantly in motion, the skin simply does not have time to tighten. But without the right therapy, the disease can spread throughout the body, so you can’t hesitate, at the first manifestations it is recommended to seek help.
Types of Eczema
Eczema is a chronic inflammation that affects the surface layers of the skin with periods of exacerbation and remission. In most cases, the cause of pathology in the hands is an allergic reaction. The disease affects adults and children equally, but the latter are more susceptible, and all because of the special sensitivity of the skin. There are such types of eczema:
- True - is characterized by an acute course with severe itching and the formation of vesicles with serous fluid.
- Microbial is a complication of true eczema and occurs after a secondary infection caused by the presence of microorganisms joins.
- Atopic is more common in children who have a predisposition to allergies, in breast-fed babies, people with bronchial asthma.
- Seborrheic is characterized by the presence of crusts on the skin of yellow color, they are very itchy.
- Professional is found in individuals who often come in contact with aggressive substances by the nature of their activities.
Stages of the disease
Dermatologists distinguish several stages of eczema on the hands:
- Initial or erythematous begins with the fact that redness and irritation, swelling and severe itching appear on the hands. After that, small nodules - papules, which are inside filled with serous fluid, form in the affected areas.
- Soaking. In place of bursting papules, erosion remains, from which serous fluid constantly leaves.
- Squamous completes the inflammatory cycle. During it, dry crusts fall off, and in their place the skin peels off, and after a while they come back to normal.
The duration of the full cycle depends on the type of eczema on the hands, the reasons for its development and can range from several days to 3 months. A feature of this ailment is the polymorphism of the rashes, precisely because of this it differs from ordinary dermatitis.
Causes of eczema on the hands
Eczema refers to skin diseases of a neuro-allergic origin. The disease can manifest itself at any age, but most often occurs in children of school and adolescence. Most often, the cause of the disease is a specific reaction that occurs with constant contact with the stimulus.
The development of the initial stage of eczema on the hands leads to:
- frequent stay on the street at the time of flowering plants, perhaps a person works in the open air and by his nature of activity he has to stay surrounded by fragrant flowers;
- wearing jewelry made of cheap metal, which added irritating substances;
- work with chemical components and heavy metals;
- the use of cosmetics and household chemicals with a strong aroma and coloring additives;
- eating foods with high allergenic properties;
- prolonged and uncontrolled medication, most often it relates to analgesics;
- constant contact with animals.
Of particular importance in the progression of the disease is the state of the immune system. If the patient has strong immunity, then the risk of developing an ailment decreases several times. The thing is that local defense reactions independently cope with lesions. If the formation of immunity is difficult, then the risk of developing eczema increases.
There are a number of other causes of weeping eczema:
- Constant excitement and stressful situations.
- Bites of insects and animals.
- Chronic ailments of the digestive system and endocrine.
- Immunodeficiency conditions.
- Change in hormonal levels during the bearing of the baby.
- Infections that occur during intoxication.
- The introduction of the vaccine.
In some cases, the cause of eczema on the hands may be infection with helminths. Parasites in the process of their life release dangerous toxins that affect the internal organs, tissues, mucous membranes and skin integuments.
Symptomatology
The signs of eczema on the hands, than we will describe below, treat differently, depending on the type of pathology and stage of the course of inflammation, but basically they are very similar. The main symptoms characteristic of all types of ailment:
- a limited area of ​​inflammation appears on the skin with characteristic redness, the skin looks thickened;
- the appearance of rashes, which differ depending on the type;
- itching, it is often unbearable, which even violates the sleep and rhythm of life;
- rash bubbles sometimes open, after which cracks and wounds appear;
- during an exacerbation, temperature may rise and a general malaise is observed;
- after the exacerbation subsides, the skin in the affected areas becomes dry with cracks.
Features of eczema during pregnancy
Pregnancy for the female body is a serious test. The immunity is aimed at safely carrying and giving birth to a baby. If before pregnancy a woman suffered from any allergic skin diseases, then during the gestation period there is a chance of developing eczema on her hands. How to treat her will tell the doctor.
In addition, after a fetal egg has attached to the uterus, hormonal changes occur in the woman’s body, prostaglandins are intensively produced, designed to relax smooth muscles. All these factors can become the reasons that provoke the development of the disease.
Women during pregnancy note that their skin becomes drier, sensitivity increases. Using familiar hygiene products can cause eczema.
What does eczema look like on the hands of a pregnant woman - these are red spots with papules that are very itchy.
Every woman who has encountered this ailment should urgently seek help from a specialist, otherwise inaction can adversely affect the development of the baby. There is no direct threat, but itchy skin causes irritability, insomnia, and these are already factors that badly affect an unborn baby.
Complications of the disease
It is very important to know how eczema looks on your hands in order to detect it in time and seek qualified help. Often, against the background of the development of the ailment, an infection is detected that provokes the development of a purulent inflammatory process.
It is possible to determine that an infection has got on the inflamed areas by the formation of vesicles with purulent contents. As the size of the bubbles increases, erosion appears with a weeping surface and an unpleasant smell of rot.
Infection provokes a deterioration in the general state of human health, which manifests itself in the form of high temperature.
Diagnostic methods
Already decided on what causes eczema on the hands, and now it is important to know what methods allow you to confirm the diagnosis. To confirm the development of the disease, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. The specialist will easily determine the presence of pathology, in some cases, recommend an additional examination - a skin biopsy.
Based on its results, it can be determined whether there is a presence of an infectious agent. Most often, this type of analysis is needed if other types of dermatitis are added to eczema.
Eczema treatment
Many patients are interested in how to cure eczema on their hands forever. You can complete this task, the main thing is to follow all the recommendations of the doctor, and the disease may no longer remind yourself.
Initially, the specialist recommends undergoing laboratory tests in order to know the diagnosis accurately and to differentiate the disease from other pathologies. It is also important to determine what is the provoking factor, because the causes and therapy are closely related.
How to treat dry eczema on the hands, the doctor decides based on the examination. He constantly monitors the patient's condition and adjusts the dosage and changes medications.
Typically, with hand eczema, this treatment is used:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antihistamines that help stop itching and inflammation due to their ability to block the release of histamines.
- Antiseptics help to dry hair and prevent infection, with their help make lotions.
- Antibiotics are recommended for patients in whom eczema is complicated by infection.
- Sedatives are recommended if psychosis has provoked eczema on the hands.
- A drug to restore the thyroid gland if its activity is impaired.
- Multivitamin complexes strengthen immunity.
It helps to eliminate the symptoms of ointment from eczema on the hands. In severe situations, the doctor recommends hormonal ointments, but it is not recommended to use them for a long time, as addiction and complications can occur.
After acute manifestations are eliminated, you can switch to non-hormonal drugs. A good result in the treatment is given by preparations from the Losterin series. They contain naphthalan, salicylic acid, plant extracts and natural oils. All components are selected in optimal concentration, therefore, provide the maximum therapeutic effect. These preparations do not contain hormones, dyes, perfumes, therefore they are not addictive and almost do not have undesirable manifestations. With regular use, eczema ointment on the hands “Losterin” moisturizes the skin, relieves dryness, peeling, relieves inflammation and relieves itching.
In addition to medical treatment, the doctor recommends physiotherapy: ozone therapy, ultraviolet radiation, paraffin wax applications. It is also recommended to follow a diet. From food you need to exclude:
- spicy and smoked dishes;
- marinades and preservation;
- eggs
- milk;
- citrus;
- chocolate;
- mayonnaise;
- coffee;
- Red wine.
Nutrition should mainly consist of cereals, dairy products, green vegetables and fruits.
How to cure eczema on the hands forever? It is necessary to use complex therapy, where folk methods are used in conjunction with physiotherapy and drug treatment.
Treatment of eczema on the hands of folk remedies
Today, there are many good proven methods of treatment that were used by our ancestors. All of them have a beneficial effect, but at different stages their effect can be very different. In the early stages of therapy, it is possible to achieve the best results. But before using traditional medicine, you need to remember that it can also cause side effects, so consulting with a doctor will not be superfluous. Here are a few effective remedies for eczema on the hands that have been used for a long time and have shown the best results:
- Take 25 grams of creolin and dilute in seven liters of warm water. Dip your hands in this composition and keep in it for at least 25 minutes, and after hands do not wipe, but let them dry on their own. This method will help relieve severe itching and reduce the inflammatory process.
- Raw potatoes are useful if the disease is only at an early stage. Take a few medium potatoes and grate, add a couple of teaspoons of honey, mix, put on a gauze dressing. After applying it to the affected skin and leave the compress for two hours.
- Garlic is often used in the treatment of many diseases, eczema is no exception. It contains many vitamins and has antibacterial properties. Pour boiling water over the garlic, and then grate it or pass through the garlic, add a little honey to the mixture. Apply this composition to the affected areas of the skin.
- You can use the juice of garlic and carrots to rub the affected areas of the skin, mix in equal amounts.
- Fish oil is a unique product that is often recommended for patients with eczema on their hands. It is used in dietary nutrition, and the ointment, which contains fish oil, tar and apple cider vinegar, has a ratio of 3: 1: 1. This composition helps the rapid healing of affected skin.
To prevent eczema, you can use this mixture: walnuts, pre-baked in the oven, crushed eggshell and fish oil. This composition must be applied at the time the disease subsides or in its acute period. A mixture of fish oil, egg white and mashed cabbage also helps. It is applied to gauze and lotions.
Treatment of eczema on the hands of folk remedies gives excellent results, but only if everything is done correctly and under the supervision of a doctor. Coping with eczema will also help tinctures from herbs:
- you can brew currant and viburnum leaves;
- perfectly helps a decoction of the leaves and flowers of yarrow;
- tincture of a decoction of birch buds will give the desired relief;
- freshly squeezed juice from burdock leaves, previously mixed with honey, will help relieve inflammation and itching;
- effective decoction of rosemary and thyme leaves, with the addition of chamomile and lavender flowers.
You can use decoctions and infusions as lotions or compresses, but only in a warm form. From herbs, you can prepare decoctions that are taken orally to support the immune system.
To reduce inflammation and strengthen immunity, you can prepare a decoction of chamomile flowers - 10 grams and add 5 g of plantain, motherwort, calendula, yarrow and lemon balm. Mix all the ingredients and pour a liter of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes. Before you use the broth, add a tablespoon of honey to it. You need to drink the infusion three times a day for 3/4 cup.
Very simple, but effective infusion of viburnum berries. Five teaspoons of dried berries of viburnum is poured with a glass of boiling water and left for several minutes. Take the infusion twice a day in a glass.
Take two tablespoons of ground dandelion root, add a spoon of burdock root to it and pour a liter of hot water. Leave the broth for 12 hours to infuse, after it is boiled for 10 minutes and you can consume 200 ml.
Preventative methods
Not all people get rid of eczema completely. But as practice shows, the majority of patients who strictly follow the doctor's recommendations forget about severe itching and inflammation, which brings unbearable pain. It is possible to prolong remissions and avoid exacerbation if prevention is carried out. There is nothing complicated in it:
- observe proper nutrition;
- try to avoid stressful situations;
- regular and proper rest;
- sleep at least 8 hours;
- use gloves when working with aggressive agents;
- before going out into the hands to apply a cream that protects against ultraviolet radiation;
- wear clothing made from natural fabrics only;
- Do not use cheap and low-quality cosmetics;
- Do not dry the skin;
- daily wet cleaning at home;
- take vitamins, especially in the spring;
- timely treat infectious pathologies;
- regularly use ointments and creams without hormones.
By following all the recommendations, relapse can be prevented. Everyone has a chance to be completely cured; you just need to avoid provoking factors.