Hand dermatitis is irritation or eczema on the hands caused by frequent wet work, soaps/chemicals, gloves, or allergens at home or work. It leads to dry, cracked, itchy, sometimes painful skin. It’s common in healthcare, cleaning, food service, hairdressing, mechanics, and childcare.
Why it happens
- Irritants: water, soaps, detergents, disinfectants, solvents, oils/grease.
- Allergens: fragrances, preservatives (e.g., MI/MCI), rubber/latex accelerators, hair dyes, nickel/cobalt, epoxy resins.
- Cold/dry air and frequent handwashing break the skin barrier.
What it looks like
- Dryness, redness, burning or itching.
- Cracks, scaling, tiny blisters (especially on sides of fingers), and sometimes oozing.
- Fingertip fissures that make daily tasks painful.
Self-care that really helps
- Short, lukewarm handwashing; pat dry—don’t rub.
- Moisturize after every wash and at least morning/bedtime:
- Use thick, fragrance-free creams or ointments (petrolatum, ceramides, glycerin, urea).
- For cleaning/food prep: wear non-latex nitrile gloves; for wet work >10 minutes, add cotton liners under gloves to reduce sweat.
- Avoid harsh soaps; use gentle fragrance-free cleansers or alcohol-based sanitizer with added moisturizers when hands aren’t visibly dirty.
- At home: protect hands during dishes and cleaning; avoid direct contact with cleaners.
When to see a clinician
- If cracking, bleeding, or pain persists despite good care.
- If you suspect an allergy (worse with certain products/gloves).
- If signs of infection: increasing pain, pus, yellow crust, fever.
Treatment
- Prescription steroid creams/ointments calm flares (use as directed, often for 1–2 weeks).
- Severe or frequent flares may benefit from non-steroid creams (e.g., calcineurin inhibitors), short courses of stronger treatments, or phototherapy.
- Patch testing can identify contact allergies so you can avoid triggers.
- Work accommodations: alternative gloves/products, task rotation, barrier creams.
Prevention at work
- Moisturize regularly; keep a pocket tube at your station.
- Use proper gloves for the job and change wet gloves promptly.
- Report occupational dermatitis early—early management prevents chronic problems.