Eczema on the hands and fingers
Eczema on the hands is a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the dermis. Often, this disease also affects the middle layers of the skin. As a rule, manifestations of eczema are expressed in the form of a rather small rash. At the same time, cracks and bubbles can be seen on all affected skin areas. The bubbles burst after a certain time, which entails the formation of an extensive wound surface. Such a surface can easily become infected; instead of serous fluid, a purulent secret will appear.
There are different types of eczema: microbial, seborrheic, true, childhood and professional. To date, the main root cause of this dangerous disease is not well understood. However, it is believed that malfunctions of the nervous system provoke the appearance of eczema in most cases.
Content:
- Causes of eczema on the hands
- Symptoms of eczema on the hands
- Answers to popular questions
- How to treat eczema on the hands?
- 10 years of torment - the real story of defeating eczema
Causes of eczema on the hands
The causes of hand eczema are not fully understood. However, experts tend to attribute this dermatological problem to polyetiological diseases, that is, to those that arise as a result of exposure to a number of factors. These are both external and internal reasons, which are most often combined with the existing tendency of the skin to form microbubble epidermis. This feature of the epidermal layer of the skin can be both congenital and acquired.
Powerful factors provoking eczema on the hands include:
- Lack of trace elements necessary for the body;
- Lack of B vitamins, especially vitamin B6;
- Parasitic damage to the human body (pinworms, roundworms, lamblia, etc.);
- Insufficient intake of unsaturated fatty acids from food;
- Disturbances in the functioning of the excretory systems;
- Disturbances in the functioning of the intestine, its dysbiosis;
- Diseases of the gallbladder, in particular, cholecystitis;
- Disorders in the functioning of the immune system.
In addition, scientists have identified several types of the disease that can affect the skin of the upper extremities.
Each of these forms has its own reasons for the development of eczema on the hands and fingers:
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Causes of idiopathic eczema on the hands:
- Excessive nervous tension.
- Stressful situations that traumatize the psyche.
- Violation of the activity of the autonomic nervous system.
- Disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland (euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism).
- Diabetes.
- Disorders in the digestive process.
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Genetic predisposition.
(on the topic: atopic dermatitis in adults and children)
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Causes of atopic eczema:
- Atopic eczema is a common companion for people who have a predisposition to allergies. The reaction can occur to pet hair, pollen, house dust, food components and other irritants.
- A hereditary predisposition to atopic diseases influences the appearance of atopic eczema. Often in patients with eczema on the hands and fingers, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchial asthma are found. Moreover, these diseases can be traced in a family history.
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Occupational eczema causes:
Occupational eczema occurs as a result of exposure to the skin of the hands of irritating chemical components. Pathogenic substances can be presented in the form of gases, smoke, vapors, in liquid and solid state. Most often, workers in the metallurgical industry, construction, pharmaceutical industries, people working in the printing industry are exposed to occupational eczema. Dangerous substances are such as: formaldehyde, nickel, chromium, lead, manganese, cobalt, formalin, epoxy resins, nickel, etc.
The longer the aggressive substances affect the skin of the hands, the higher the risk of developing eczema. First appearing on the hands, professional eczema can spread to other parts of the body.
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Causes of microbial eczema:
- Microbial eczema occurs as a result of sensitization of the skin of the hands to antigens produced by fungi and bacteria.
- The cause may be a long-term non-healing purulent wound, trophic ulcer, cut, abrasion, burn and other trauma.
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Causes of dyshidrotic eczema:
- Interaction of hand skin with surfactants.
- Occupational factors affecting the skin of the hands.
- Inappropriate ingestion or topical application of drugs.
- Improper use of cosmetics and detergents.
- Diseases of the nervous system.
- Injuries to the skin of the hands.
- Hand skin exposure to cold or sunlight.
- Postponed infectious diseases.
- Hyperhidrosis of the palms.
Such types of eczema as seborrheic eczema or varicose eczema are not typical for the skin of the hands.
Symptoms of eczema on the hands
Symptoms of hand eczema will vary depending on what type of condition the person has.
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Symptoms of idiopathic eczema on the hands:
- Rashes can look like erythema, papules, vesicles. They are localized in open areas of the body, including the legs and arms, most often they are symmetrical.
- The onset of an exacerbation of the disease is characterized by the appearance of bubbles, which subsequently merge, and after destruction they form erosion.
- The entire process of inflammation is accompanied by severe itching of the skin, which may precede the onset of the disease.
- With chronicity of the process, skin lichenification occurs.
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Symptoms of atopic eczema on the hands:
- The skin swells and turns red, covered with small blisters.
- Bubbles resolve, leaving behind wet areas.
- As the disease progresses, the skin becomes covered with crusts and scales, becomes dry, and begins to peel off.
- Itching can follow the patient both during remission and during exacerbation of eczema. However, when the process enters the acute phase, itching becomes extremely pronounced.
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Symptoms of occupational eczema on the hands:
- Inflammation manifests itself only in those areas of the skin that are in contact with the irritant. It is the hands and fingers that are more likely to develop professional eczema.
- As the disease progresses, eczema spreads to other parts of the body.
- The inflammation process is similar to idiopathic eczema.
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Symptoms of microbial eczema:
- Microbial eczema is located around existing wounds, burns, fistulas with purulent inflammation.
- At first, eczema affects only that part of the skin where there is a pustular disease. Detachment of its stratum corneum occurs, peeling begins, or exudate is separated.
- Subsequently, the exudate dries up and forms crusts.
- Eczema is not treated, then it begins to affect symmetrically located skin areas.
- As a rule, itching does not bother the patient much.
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Symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema:
- A rash appears that looks like small blisters filled with fluid.
- A rash occurs initially on the sides of the fingers and then spreads to the palms.
- The skin becomes swollen and red.
- After opening the bubbles, erosions appear on the inflamed areas, which become abundantly wet. In parallel, the skin begins to peel off.
- The disease is accompanied by severe itching.
- Often, a secondary infection is attached, which provokes the appearance of pain, cracks, lichenization.
Answers to popular questions
- Can eczema on the hands be cured forever? Modern medicine cannot cure eczema on the hands forever, since this disease is chronic in nature with periods of exacerbation. However, it is possible to achieve a stable remission if the correct treatment is selected.
- Is eczema contagious on the hands? Eczema on the hands, as well as on other parts of the body, is not contagious.
- Can eczema get wet on my hands? You can't wet eczema on your hands. If the skin of the hands needs to be cleaned, then special oils should be used for this. When washing dishes, for any need for contact with water, you must first put on cotton gloves on your hands, and rubber gloves over them.
How to treat eczema on the hands?
Treatment is selected for each patient individually. In this case, the specialist takes into account the type of disease, how pronounced the process of inflammation, as well as the age of the patient, the presence of other diseases, etc. The disease can be brought into the stage of stable remission only with an integrated approach to treatment.
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General therapy:
General therapy should include the correction of existing disorders of the functioning of all organs, bringing the metabolism back to normal, increasing the body's immune defense. It is important to pay attention to mitigating the negative impact from the external environment.
Nonspecific therapy aimed at reducing the individual sensitivity of the body to existing allergens was recognized as effective. In this case, the patient is prescribed antihistamines, immunosuppressants, glucocorticoids, cytostatics. In parallel, autohemotherapy, hirudotherapy, blood transfusion, lactotherapy are carried out.
If the disease is severe, then doctors refer the patient to plasmapheresis, hemo- and enterosorption.
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Therapy of neurotic disorders:
- Taking small doses of tranquilizers (Nozepam, Chlosepid, Phenazepam). The drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor, and the general course of treatment should not exceed 10 days.
- Bromcamfar, Sodium bromide is taken as a sedative for two weeks.
- Herbal sedatives are: Valerian extract, Persen, Novopassit, Sedasen, Peony tincture.
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Therapy aimed at eliminating the intoxication of the body:
- In a course for 10 days, enterosorbents can be prescribed: Multisorb, Polyphepan, Polysorb, Enterosgel, STI filterum, Atoxil.
- Intravenous administration of calcium chloride or sodium thiosulfate is possible.
- If the disease is complicated by a fungal infection, then a solution of Hexamethylenetetramine is prescribed.
- Calcium gluconate is injected intramuscularly. The number of injections should not exceed 10.
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Therapy with hormonal drugs:
If there is an urgent need (with a persistent course of the disease), then the disease is treated with the use of hormonal agents. Such treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor. The course cannot be long, since the use of corticosteroids has a number of side effects that can negatively affect the health of a person in general.
A particular danger is the independent long-term use of hormonal agents. If eczema has not spread beyond the hands, then, as a rule, doctors are limited to only local treatment. With more extensive lesions, it is recommended to take hormones by mouth for a period of no more than 15 days. For this purpose, agents such as: Triamcinolone, Prednisolone, Corticotropin, Dexamethasone can be used.
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Vitamin therapy:
Any kind of eczema on the hands is an indication for taking vitamins. However, they must be used with caution and only as directed by a doctor. For eczema, the following are prescribed: injection of B vitamins, folic acid intake, Nicotinic and Ascorbic acid intake, vitamin E intake.
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Therapy using antiallergenic drugs:
- During an exacerbation of eczema, Chloropyramine, Diphenhydramine, Promethazine are prescribed. The route of administration is parenteral.
- If the disease is of moderate severity, then oral administration of the same drugs is prescribed.
- As the inflammation process fades, it is recommended to switch to third and second generation antihistamines. It can be: Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Zodak, Parlazin, Tsetrin), Ebastin (Kestin), Loratadin (Desal, Lordestin, Erius), etc.
- It is possible to take Ketotifen.
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Therapy using immunomodulators:
Immunomodulators are not prescribed for all patients with eczema. Their reception is possible only after passing an examination by an immunologist with all the necessary tests. The doctor may prescribe such drugs as: Timomimetics (Imunofan, Timalin, Timogen), phagocytosis stimulants (Likopid, Polyoxidonium, Prodigiosan), as well as Plasmol, humisol solution, placenta extract, vitreous humor.
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Therapy aimed at normalizing the functioning of the digestive system:
Often, eczema on the hands appears in parallel with diseases of the digestive tract. To get rid of them, it is recommended to take such drugs as: Ermital, Pancreatin, Creon, Micrasim, Pangrol, Gastenorm, Biozyme, Pepfiz, Pangrol, Enzistal, Festal, Solizim.
If a violation of the intestinal microflora is detected, then a course intake of probiotics is shown, for example, Lactobacterin, Hilak forte, Rioflora-immuno, Bifiform, Linex, etc.
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Microbial eczema therapy:
If a patient is diagnosed with microbial eczema, then it is impossible to do without the use of antibacterial drugs. Outwardly, ointments with antimicrobial effect are prescribed, and inside they recommend taking antibiotics from the groups: cephalosporins (1st generation), macrolides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides. Antimycotics are prescribed when a secondary infection is attached.
Local therapy for eczema on the hands
If a patient is diagnosed with microbial eczema, then he needs to lubricate the crust on his hands:
- Brilliant green, Methyl violet solution, Gentian violet solution.
- Creams and aerosols: Panthenol, Polcortolone, Levovinisol.
- If the disease has a chronic course, then lotions with a solution of Resorcinol or Ethacridine Lactate are recommended.
They are able to have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce the itching of lotions with the application of the following compositions:
- Goulard;
- Burov's fluid;
- Resorcinol in solution up to 1%;
- Copper sulfate, zinc sulfate in 0.1% solution;
- Silver nitrate in solution 0.15%;
- Phenol in solution up to 5%;
- Citric acid in a solution of 1%;
- Metol solution up to 1.0%;
- Podophyllin ointment;
- Diphenhydramine paste.
Effective means for relieving acute inflammation are powders with white clay, zinc oxide, and wheat starch. When the disease subsides somewhat, you can use zinc oil, as well as neutral ointments that do not contain active ingredients.
A solution of boric acid, a solution of tannin, a solution of galascorbin helps to eliminate skin edema, reduce wetting, remove redness.
To speed up the healing process at the stage of extinction of inflammation, you can use Lassar paste, zinc ointment with the addition of Naftalan paste, Ichthyol paste, Boron-zinc and Borno-naphthalan paste, Dermatol and Methyluracil paste.
As for corticosteroid ointments, doctors often prescribe Elokom, Advantan, Skin-cap, Flucinar, Celestoderm to get rid of eczema on the hands. If the patient has microbial eczema, then it is best to use Trimistin, Lorinden C, Celestoderm with garamycin, Travocort, Kremgen.
Eczema on the hands responds well to physical therapy. Therefore, the following treatment methods are often used: baths with radon, mineral water, diphenhydramine inhalations, electrosleep, general galvanization, diadynamic therapy, ultrasound treatment, laser therapy, phonophoresis with drugs, ultraviolet treatment, ozone therapy, magnetotherapy, paraffin applications, acupuncture …
It is important to adhere to a therapeutic diet with the rejection of the consumption of large amounts of salt, with the exception of spicy, fatty fried, smoked foods. Do not consume chocolate, coffee, alcohol, eggs, as these products are potential allergens. Preference should be given to a dairy-plant diet.
10 years of torment - the real story of defeating eczema
The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist
Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).
