Eczema is a condition that, irrespective of age and gender of the sufferer, can appear on almost any area of skin. It is not a contagious condition and in the majority of cases has some form of genetic link.
It can be easily recognized by the skin becoming very dry, even to the point of cracking or bleeding. Other symptoms include blistering, swelling and continual rashes. You might even see some temporary discoloration because of lesions that have healed. However, it is very rare to suffer from permanent scarring.
If you work in an environment that is damp and humid there is a greater chance that you will suffer from the problem on your hands. In fact one in ten women and one in twenty men suffer from it. The people most at risk are those who work tending bar, a dental surgery, a hairdressers, or as a surgeon.
Around 75% of those who suffer from this hand condition have the strain called contact dermatitis. This can either be an irritant or allergic. It can often be quite difficult to tell the difference between the two.
The severity of this condition differs from one patient to another, but it usually starts with a mild dryness of the skin. In the beginning it manifests on and between the fingers and it can be very itchy and scaly. Like the other forms of this condition, over time, it can also develop into cracking, swelling and blistering. If it is not treated correctly and in time, it will most probably spread.
If the cause could be put down to one thing it would be the continual washing and drying of hands. There are also three situations that show heighten the probability of someone suffering from it. They are if you suffer from psoriasis, have a history of asthma of hay fever or have suffered from an atopic form of the condition in your younger years. It may be possible to ease the symptoms and maybe even get rid of it completely.
Your health care provider will give you a lot of practical advice to help you cope with the complaint. There are also a lot of creams available that your doctor will recommend according to the severity. One basic tip is to avoid washing any dishes by hand as you need to minimize any contact with water or detergents. If you cannot avoid this wear a pair of rubber or latex gloves with cotton liners or a pair of cotton gloves. These will also prevent the sweating that is caused by your hands being in contact with the rubber or latex.
An eczema cure for this common childhood skin condition gives relief from irritation and itching. Applying an eczema cream will soothe and heal the skin without leaving a greasy residue.