Tips to Protect Your Hands from Eczema

Most people know how important it is to protect the skin especially that of the face because this is one of the most delicate areas on the body. What many people don’t realize is there is another area of skin that it is important to protect as well – the hands. For many people the hands can be one of the most sensitive and delicate areas on the body in relation to skin especially when eczema develops. This is especially true of people who spend large amounts of time with their hands in water or extremely cold temperatures. Physical injury to the hands, chemicals, emotional stress and certain types of food or drinks can also play a part in the aggravation of eczema.

Eczema is a skin condition which appears as a red and scaly rash and in some cases even the formation of small pimple like blisters. This redness and blistery skin is more often than not very itchy, uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. One important thing to remember is to avoid scratching as much as possible as this will only worsen the condition.

There are several things a person can do to reduce the problem of eczema or in some cases prevent it from developing. Some of these preventive measures include the following suggestions:

• Keep your hands dry
• Avoid harsh chemicals
• Use lotions and soaps that do not contain irritants
• Avoid extreme cold
• Limit use of very hot water
• Avoid physical injuries to the hands
• Limit foods that aggravate eczema
• Avoid becoming emotionally stressed

Keeping the hands dry is an important step in the prevention and treatment of hand eczema. This is because hands that are excessively wet are more prone to develop this condition. Removing rings is also a good idea as moisture can become trapped beneath them making the problem worse.

Certain chemicals can also be a serious problem in relation to hand eczema. Some of the most common chemicals used include household cleansers, laundry detergents, bleach, hair coloring and hair spray. Wearing protective gloves when using such chemicals can prevent serious aggravation to the hands.

Using soaps and lotions without perfumes and irritants is also a good idea as is using warm water instead of hot. Avoid cold temperatures whenever possible as extreme cold causes drying of the skin.

Certain foods which are known to contribute to the condition of hand eczema include wheat, chocolate, milk, eggs, tomatoes, seafood and peanuts. Avoiding these foods can help to reduce the occurrence of this problem. Drinking plenty of water will also help because this helps to keep the skin hydrated and prevents it from becoming excessively dry.