How to Cure Hand Eczema
Hand eczema can be an extremely troublesome and sometimes painful condition for a person to contend with, no matter how severe. Most people will experience periodic episodes where the skin of their hands will become inflamed and irritated, and then subside for a length of time before ever suffering another flare-up. While doctors are still unsure of exactly why one person will be plagued with this condition over another, according to the doctors of the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of tactics someone can put in place to treat the eczema.
Instructions
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Consult with your physician. You'll need to consult with your family doctor to establish the type of hand eczema you're currently suffering from. This will allow your doctor to better treat your condition.
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Apply a corticosteroid cream, like Temovate, on your hands each day. This prescription medication cream is commonly used for most types of eczema that affect the hands. What it does is essentially speed up the process of healing and treat the dryness and cracking that may occur during a flare-up.
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Wrap each hand in a cool, moistened washcloth. According to the Mayo Clinic, wrapping the hands in a moistened cloth can actually increase the efficacy of the cream and reduce both itching and blistering (which is common in dyshidrotic eczema).
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Start taking an antihistamine. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend that you start using an antihistamine as an adjunct treatment for hand eczema. This type of over-the-counter medication can help to eliminate the itchy sensation you're currently feeling on your hands.
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Moisturize your hands with a fragrance-free hand lotion. Anytime you wash or wet your hands, you should thoroughly and gently dry them, and then apply a hand moisturizer.
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Swap out all your soaps and detergents for milder versions of the same product. Sometimes, soaps and detergents can worsen hand eczema, so you should consider switching out all these types of products for those that do not contain harsh chemicals, perfumes or dyes.
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Humidify your home. While using a humidifier won't necessarily treat your hand eczema, it can change your environment for the better by adding more moisture to the air. Really, this is more of a concern during the winter months, but it's a good practice to get into.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to your doctor about the use of corticosteroid pills as a treatment for hand eczema. In more severe cases, your doctor may place you on an oral treatment, as well as a topical treatment for your condition. By using an oral corticosteroid, you can expect the inflammation you're experiencing to lessen, as well as reduce the signs and irritations of other symptoms.
Do not scratch, itch or rub your hands while experiencing a flare-up. Though it may feel "good," it can only serve to exacerbate your condition.
