The most inconvenient part of the body to have eczema is the hand. We use our hands for everything we do, and it makes it hard to live a normal life with this skin condition. This can affect anyone at any age. The symptoms include redness, itching, pain, dryness, peeling, flaking, cracks, a skin creasing rash, and scaly blisters.
It’s difficult, but you don’t have to stop your daily routines because of this. Even if you are stuck at home, there are many ways you can alleviate the discomfort brought about by eczema on your hands. Here are some quick and easy tips you can do from the comfort of your own home:
1. Drink nettle tea or apply it to your hands
Make your own nettle tea or look for ready-made tea bags from herbal shops. It is known to have many health benefits, and one of them is soothing eczema on the hands. You can drink a hot cup to allow your body to absorb all its nutrients, or you can also let it cool and apply the tea directly to your skin. The nettle leaves have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and pain-relieving properties that can soothe eczema.
2. Use rubber gloves when you wash dishes
Staying at home means more chores. Because dishwashing soaps are harsh on your skin, it is best to use rubber gloves when you do household chores such as washing dishes. Do it fast because prolonged use of gloves can make you sweat and might lead to more itchiness or trigger eczema on your hands.
3. Take quick, warm showers
You can’t get rid of taking showers. When you have eczema on the hands, the preferred bath time limit is 10 to 15 minutes, using only warm water instead of hot water. The reason for this is that your long exposure to water will wipe away the natural moisture that your hand needs to prevent further irritation.
4. Use a gentle hand soap and remove jewelry
Before you wash your hands, search for the gentlest hand soap you can find. Antibacterial soaps might cause more damage to the eczema on your hands, so skip them for now. Always remove your jewelry, such as bracelets and rings, before washing. This will ensure that no bacteria will get trapped on your skin, which will cause more issues. Remember to gently pat your hands dry and not rub the towel. Rubbing can scratch the affected area and cause irritation.
5. Moisturize your hands and put on cotton gloves
Washing and moisturizing cannot be separated. Always moisturize after washing your hands. Skipping this part can lead to irritation caused by your skin getting too dry after washing. No moisture on the skin means no protective barrier. Make sure these two tasks go together if you have eczema on your hands. At the end of the day, after using mild products, wear cotton gloves over them. It soothes the skin and locks in moisture to act as a protective barrier for your hands.
Final Thoughts
It’s challenging to identify and avoid triggers for eczema on our hands because we use them for everything. We touch everything. These aforementioned tips are just some of the ways you can relieve the effects of these triggers at home. Use milder products, and be cautious of what you lay your hands on. Don’t forget to still consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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