Eczema: How to Care for Hands and Feet

Treatments to consider for eczema hands and feet.

 

1. Eczema: How to Care for Hands and Feet

 

What is eczema?

 

Eczema, or dermatitis, is the term for different types of skin inflammation1. In most cases, skin gets itchy, red and dry—even cracked. While the hands and feet are the most vulnerable, eczema can appear on any part of the body and can be very painful.

 

What causes eczema?

 

Possible causes of eczema range from genes to stress to an overactive immune system2. Colder climates can deplete the skin of moisture - exacerbating eczema symptoms. Additionally, those that experienced eczema as a child may be at greater risk for having it as an adult.

 

But many times, eczema can be caused by our routine. For example, hands that stay wet or in latex gloves for extended periods of time are prone to eczema on hands. And working with chemicals, solvents and detergents increases the risk.

 

When to consult a doctor for eczema?

 

Consult a doctor about your eczema who may guide you to reduce the risk of a flare-up by knowing the cause and exercising good skin care3. Consider using a humidifier to keep moisture in the air, and limit strenuous exercise as sweating can irritate dry skin. Eating right, wearing cotton socks and making time for activities that reduce stress, like a hobby or meditation, may also help keep flare ups at bay.

 

Those experiencing eczema or equally dry, irritated skin conditions may want to consider using a mild soap and taking short, warm showers. Pat dry and immediately moisturize your whole body with a fast-absorbing moisturizer appropriate for sensitive skin. Vaseline® Deep Moisture Jelly moisturizes and protects to strengthen your skin barrier and keep it hydrated. Learn more about how to take care of Healthy Skin.

 

How to treat eczema on hands or feet?

 

If you do experience eczema on hands or feet, don’t scratch. Some home remedies include changing your laundry detergent and cleaning your bathtub with bleach to kill the bacteria that lives on eczema hands.

Another route to ease dry skin symptoms may include treating and protecting hands with an eczema cream or using Vaseline® Advanced Repair Hand Lotion with micro droplet of Vaseline® Advanced Repair Unscented Body Lotion. This lotion has a non-greasy feel and helps to relieve dry skin symptoms on feet with a gentle moisturiser that heals and calms severely dry skin. Learn more about the causes and treatment of Dry Skin and Itchy Skin.

 

But the surest advice is to see a dermatologist to help you determine what’s causing your condition and provide an effective way to reverse it. Treatments range from over-the-counter to prescription medications, as well as light therapies for severe eczema.

Everyone experiences dry skin now and then. But when skin becomes scaly and thick, this could indicate you may be experiencing symptoms caused by eczema.

 

Expert Advice
The advice in this article does not constitute medical advice, it is solely available for information purposes.

 

1. https://medlineplus.gov/eczema.html
2. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments
3. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/hand-eczema