When To Seek Medical Advice
See a pharmacist or GP if you think you may have discoid eczema. They can recommend a suitable treatment.
You should also seek medical advice if you think your skin may be infected. You may need to use an antibiotic cream or, in severe cases, take antibiotics as a tablet or capsule.
A GP should be able to make a diagnosis just by examining the affected areas of skin. In some cases they may also ask questions or arrange some tests to rule out other conditions.
A GP may refer you to a doctor who specialises in skin conditions if they’re unsure of the diagnosis or if you need a patch test.
Why Is My Skin Rough
Skin that feels rough to the touch, especially on the hands and feet is often caused by dryness and a build-up of dead skin cells. The skin naturally renews itself however, this process can slow down with age.5 Certain skin conditions can also accelerate the accumulation of dead cells and lead to rough bumpy skin. In most cases, using a specially-formulated rough and bumpy skin lotion daily can help restore smooth, soft skin.
Treatment Of Dry Skin
An important aspect of treatment is to identify and tackle any factors that may be contributing to the dry skin. Water alone can actually worsen the problem of dry skin by removing the normal, protective skin oils. Hot, soapy water depletes the natural skin oils to the greatest degree. Water followed by the application of a thick moisturizer, is of great benefit for dry skin.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Dyshidrotic Eczema
Your body is unique. You may respond well to an at-home skin care routine and OTC medications, or you may require prescription-strength corticosteroid creams or ointments, like clobetasol .
Dyshidrotic eczema usually goes away with treatment, but it may come back later. You may need to follow a specific skin care routine at home or continue using medication to reduce your symptoms.
Showering Tips To Avoid Dry Skin:
- You should take a short bath or shower only once in a 24-hour period.
- Bathing should be in warm rather than hot water.
- Soap should be used minimally and where/when needed .
- Mild soaps should be used .
- After showering, quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel .
- Within three minutes of getting out, apply a moisturizer of cream or ointment to seal the water in the skin before it evaporates.
- Moisturizers should be reapplied liberally during the day and evening when possible, especially to those areas prone to dryness. If dry skin affects your hands, reapply moisturizers after handwashing.
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Can An Immune System Disorder Cause Skin Peeling On Fingers And Hands
Yes! Topping the list:
Hand eczema is a common condition that affects about 1 in 10 people living in the U.S. Eczema can easily be mistaken for regular old dry skin because it gives the skin a similar appearance and tends to occur more frequently in winter. But eczema usually has specific triggers, like allergens and irritating substances, and will likely require further treatment. Also, research suggests that genetics may play a part, so if eczema as well as asthma or hay fever run in your immediate family, your risk of developing this condition increases.
Symptoms include redness, itching, pain, cracks, as well as dryness to the point of peeling and flaking. It often affects people who work in cleaning, catering, hairdressing, health care, and mechanical jobs where they may come into contact with chemicals and other irritants, according to the National Eczema Association.
It can be tricky to differentiate between contact dermatitis and eczema, as they both cause similar symptoms and those with eczema are prone to developing contact dermatitis. Anytime the skin is dry and prone to inflammation, youre more likely to develop contact dermatitis, Dr. Tiernan says.
Signs And Symptoms Of Dry Skin
The most common locations for dry skin include:
- Legs, especially the fronts of the lower legs
Symptoms of dry skin include:
- Scaling, flaking, or peeling skin
- Skin that feels rough
- Skin tightness, especially after bathing
- Cracks in the skin that may bleed
Dry skin appears as dull, rough skin with fine scales that flake off easily. In more advanced stages of dry skin, the skin may have cracks that resemble a dry lake bed. When dry skin cracks, germs can get in through the skin. Once inside, germs can cause an infection. Red, sore spots on the skin may be an early sign of an infection. Inflammation of the areas may lead to pink or red patches.
Dry skin can be completely without symptoms , though more inflamed skin tends to be mildly to severely itchy.
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Treatment And Medication Options For Dyshidrotic Eczema
While there is no cure for dyshidrotic eczema, as Lio says, you can manage most of the symptoms on your own with a doctors direction.
Typically, we start with gentle skin care and avoiding triggers, he says. I have some favorite gentle cleansers to use instead of harsh soaps, some super-protective moisturizers, and even a gentle hand sanitizer. If that is enough , then we can get by without any medications at all.
Dr. Kindred says that keeping skin moisturized is an important part of treating dyshidrotic eczema. Use lotions containing ceramides and then cover with a barrier ointment, such as petroleum jelly, she says.
The AAD has additional tips for self-care, such as how to cleanse, moisturize, and avoid triggers.
But with more severe dyshidrotic eczema, medication and other treatments are necessary for symptom relief, say both doctors.
How Stress Can Trigger Eczema And How To Avoid A Flare
The NEA reports that a survey they conducted about a related condition, atopic dermatitis, found that 30 percent of people with atopic dermatitis were also diagnosed with depression or anxiety. The organization recommends speaking with your healthcare provider or a mental health professional if you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Self-care is important too, such as getting adequate sleep, practicing relaxation techniques, and finding a peer support group.
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What Are Some Common Causes Of Skin Peeling On Fingers
Spring has technically arrived, but for many of us, the winter has been long and cold, leaving our hands out to, ahem, dry. Typically, in the winter months, skin becomes more dehydrated and sensitive because, in cold weather, theres less humidity in the air, plus were usually hanging out in dry, heated environments, Shari Hicks-Graham, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Columbus, Ohio, and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, tells SELF. Together, that strips the natural levels of moisture in the skin: The water we have in our skin escapes into the environment and doesnt get replenished, so we end up with dryness and peeling. This can become an especially uncomfortable and irksome problem if you already have sensitive skin to begin with, she adds.
Treating dry skin boils down to repairing the skins barrier and replenishing its moisture. The best way to do that is to use a thick cream-based moisturizer and to use it daily . I tell my patients, whichever one you choose, buy five and then make them accessible: Put one at your kitchen sink, one at your bathroom sink, one at your desk, one in your car, and one by your bed, Robin L Travers, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Boston, tells SELF. That way you wont forget to use it.
Consider also using a humidifier in your home and doing something as simple as wearing gloves, which can protect your skin against drying environmental elements during the colder months, adds Dr. Tiernan.
Causes Of Discoid Eczema
The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it may happen as a result of having particularly dry skin.
When your skin is very dry it cannot provide an effective barrier against substances that come into contact with it. This could allow a previously harmless substance, such as soap, to irritate your skin.
It’s important to look carefully at all the chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries that may have come into contact with your skin. Contact dermatitis, a type of eczema caused by coming into contact with a particular irritant, may have a role in discoid eczema.
Some people with discoid eczema also have a history of atopic eczema, which often happens in people who are prone to asthma and hay fever. However, unlike atopic eczema, discoid eczema does not seem to run in families.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Dyshidrotic Eczema
Common symptoms, according to the AAD, include:
- Small blisters and rashy skin
- Blisters filled with clear fluid
- Blisters that appear in clusters between fingers and toes or on the edges of fingers, toes, palms, or soles of the feet
- Rashy, scaly, red and cracked skin around the blisters
- Blisters that are very itchy and sometimes painful
- Blisters that dry and peel in about three weeks
Alamy
Why Handwashing Can Cause A Rash
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Its role is to protect the body from germs and infection. The outermost layer contains an oily substance called sebum to help maintain the skins natural moisture.
A rash from handwashing usually occurs on the back of the hands. It can affect the spaces between the fingers too. The skin on the palms is much thicker and more resistant to irritants and allergic rashes.
Symptoms of hand rashes due to handwashing include dryness, redness, itching, flaking, and in some cases, cracking and bleeding.
Several issues related to handwashing can irritate the skin barrier and cause it to lose its natural oils, leading to a rash.
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How Can I Treat Hand Eczema
According to the AAD, one of the first steps in treating hand eczema is to avoid the cause, if possible. You can also frequently apply a fragrance-free, preservative-free moisturizing hand cream to help your skin heal. Your doctor might be able to recommend one that will be effective.
If your symptoms are severe, consider meeting with a dermatologist to discuss treatment options. The AAAAI outlines some of the treatments you could receive for different issues hand eczema can cause.
For example, if your hands are extremely dry or cracked from eczema, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical steroid cream a treatment thats applied directly to the skin to help decrease any underlying inflammation that could be causing your symptoms.
Topical steroids are typically only used for short-term treatments, however, as they may make the skin thinner.
If your dermatologist thinks allergies or AD may be triggering eczema on your hands, they may recommend oral antihistamines allergy medication taken by mouth to help prevent inflammation associated with allergic reactions. Some antihistamines may cause drowsiness, so your doctor may recommend taking them at night.
Sometimes, severely dry, cracked hands or blisters may lead to an infection. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in addition to other eczema therapies.
Depending on the underlying cause, you may also talk with your doctor about certain injections that may help treat eczema.
S To Help Prevent Sepsis If You Have An Infection
The AAD concurs that symptoms range from mild to debilitating. A severe flare on your feet can make walking difficult. Having many blisters on your hands can make it difficult to work and perform everyday tasks like shampooing your hair and washing dishes, according to the organization.
Constant scratching also tears the skin, increasing the risk of skin infection. According to the AAD, a staph infection may result. Signs of a staph infection include the development of pus in blisters, pain, swelling, and crusting. Usually skin staph infections are mild, but if they are left untreated and the bacteria enter your bloodstream or other organs, life-threatening complications such as could result, according to Penn Medicine.
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Treatment For Dry Skin
The best way to treat dry skin is to manage the underlying causes:
- Try to make the environment less dry. For example, use a humidifier and encourage your child to avoid long periods of air conditioning and direct heat on their skin.
- Dress your child in loose cotton clothing if possible, or add a cotton layer under woollen or synthetic clothing. Avoid overheating with too many layers.
- Keep bath or shower times short, and keep the water warm but not hot.
- Use plain water or a soap-free liquid wash in the bath or shower.
- Add fragrance-free moisturising bath oils to bath water. You can get these from pharmacies.
- Consider fewer baths or showers. In particular, younger children dont need baths every day, especially in winter and when the humidity is low.
Its essential for your child to use a fragrance-free, non-irritating moisturiser, emulsifying ointment, aqueous cream or sorbolene with 10% glycerine cream. Ointments are often better and less likely to sting than creams, because they have fewer added ingredients.
If you dont know which moisturiser to get for your child, ask your pharmacist or child and family health nurse. They might even be able to give your child some samples to try. Your child might need to try several different moisturisers before they find one that suits.
Your child can also use moisturiser after they wash their hands and before and after swimming.
Prevention Of Dyshidrotic Eczema
While you cant prevent dyshidrotic eczema, you can do a number of things to avoid or minimize flare-ups.
Avoid triggers, wear cotton-lined gloves when washing dishes and doing other wet work, and keep other skin diseases under control, counsels Kindred.
To this list, Lio adds: Wear lightweight clothing and avoid gloves, socks, and shoes that trap moisture and dont allow your skin to breathe.
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What Prescription Medications Or Treatments Are Used To Treat Dyshidrotic Eczema
In more severe cases of dyshidrotic eczema, your healthcare provider may prescribe or recommend the following medications or treatments to help relieve your symptoms:
- System-wide corticosteroids: If corticosteroid creams or ointments dont relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe an oral corticosteroid, like prednisone .
- System-wide nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drugs: Long-term use of oral steroids may be unhealthy, so your healthcare provider may prescribe medications such as methotrexate tablets , mychophenolate tablets or dupilumab injections .
- : Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light, usually ultraviolet B , from special lamps. The ultraviolet light waves in the light can help certain skin disorders, including dyshidrotic eczema. UVB can cause permanent dark spots in darker skin color, so its a good idea to check with your healthcare provider if you have darker skin.
Trigger : Exposure To Allergens Or Irritants
Hand eczema is often caused or worsened by exposure to a substance thats irritating think alcohol, bleach, cleansers or solvents or one that causes an allergic reaction, such as perfume or certain plants. Florists often get dermatitis on their thumb and forefinger when clipping chrysanthemums and tulips . In the kitchen, vegetables particularly garlic and onion can lead to a flare-up, especially on the fingertips. Even fabric can exacerbate hand eczema. Rough, coarse materials such as wool and stiff synthetics such as polyester can trigger an itch-scratch cycle that worsens the condition.
How to dodge it: Pay attention to what sets off your eczema. Whether youre at home or on the job, learn what irritates your skin and avoid or limit contact with those things, advised Dr. OBrien. Use a washing machine, dishwasher, and food processor when possible and ask other family members for help with housework, cooking and gardening to give your hands a break. Protect your hands from irritants and allergens by wearing vinyl or cotton gloves while you do chores. Wear heavy-duty vinyl or neoprene gloves at work if youre exposed to triggers there. If the gloves you have irritate your skin, ask your dermatologist for recommendations.
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Other Possible Causes Of Hand Rash
There are many other causes of hand rashes, including certain diseases and infections. In these situations, there are typically other symptoms besides a rash. Possible causes of hand rashes include:
Most rashes go away on their own. But sometimes you may need to see a healthcare provider for a hand rash. If you are an adult, see a doctor about your rash if:
- The rash is located all over your body
- The rash appears suddenly and spreads quickly
- You have a fever as well as a rash
- The rash is full of blisters
- The rash has fluid-filled bubbles
Home Remedies To Help
If you are currently dealing with dry, cracked skin, you may benefit from several home remedies. It is important to identify the underlying cause to be able to determine the best treatment option, but the following remedies may offer some relief.
1. Soak Your Hands in Warm Water
A warm water soak can help improve your skin condition. All you have to do is take some warm water and soak your fingers in it for about 10 minutes. This will help soften up the skin around your nails. To get better results, consider soaking your fingertips in a mixture of lemon juice, honey and warm water. Be sure to dry your hand properly after the soak and do not forget to apply some moisturizer.
2. Use Cucumber
Cucumber can help treat your peeling fingertips because it has moisturizing properties and accelerates healing. Take a fresh cucumber and cut it into slices. Rub these slices on your fingertips for a few minutes. Ensure that the juice has penetrated into your skin to produce good effects.
3. Make Use of Oats
Just like cucumber, oats can also be used to treat your cracked fingertips. Oats can help remove dead skin cells and make your skin smooth again. Take a large bowl and add a handful of powdered oats to it. Add some warm water to it and soak your fingers in it. Wash your hands after 15 minutes using clean water. Use a soft cotton towel to dry your hands and then finish by applying your moisturizer. Do it once before going to bed.
4. Try Coconut Oil
5. Opt for Aloe Vera
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