How to Treat Hand Eczema — 6 Tips for Everyday Symptom Relief

Are your hands always dry and scaly? Do they feel painful, itchy, or sore? If so, you could have hand eczema. And some of your daily habits — like washing dishes — aren’t helping. 

But there’s good news. Hand eczema is treatable with careful skin care — and, if needed, some medicated creams. Learn more about what causes eczema on the hands and ways to prevent it.

What is hand eczema?

Hand eczema (hand dermatitis) is a chronic rash caused by skin inflammation on the hands. It’s one of the most common types of eczema, affecting about 1 in 10 people in the U.S. Typical symptoms of hand and finger eczema are:

• Dry, chapped skin (often the first sign)

• Patches of irritated skin that are red or dark brown 

• Scaly and inflamed skin 

• Itching or burning 

• Blisters under the skin

• Deep, painful cracks 

• Bleeding or oozing 

• Scabs, pus, and pain

What can cause hand eczema?

Eczema is a rash caused by skin inflammation, but there isn’t a single reason why some people get eczema and others don’t. There are a few different factors to consider. 

Eczema happens when someone with a genetic risk for eczema (meaning it runs in their family’s genes) is exposed to risk factors in their environment. These could be chemicals that irritate the skin or cause skin allergies, cold weather, or even stress. Your immune function also plays a part —  certain immune system cells are overactive in eczema, causing more inflammation. 

People who have eczema as a child are more likely to have it as an adult. They might also have related conditions like hay fever and asthma.

Sometimes, the cause of hand eczema isn’t known, like with dyshidrotic eczema (more on that below).

Hand eczema triggers

No matter what causes your hand eczema, many different triggers can make it worse. The most common triggers include: 

• Cold temperatures (eczema is common in the winter)

• Irritation from soap, fragrances, and other irritants

• Too much handwashing, typically in jobs like healthcare, cleaning, and catering

• Increased stress

• Hand sweating, like from wearing latex gloves

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• Cold air is tough on eczema. Dry winter weather can strip moisture from your hands, causing flare-ups. Protect skin with thick creams, gloves, and gentle care all season long.

• Psoriasis and eczema look different in darker skin tones. Patches may appear violet, gray, or dark brown instead of red. See photos and learn how to spot the differences and treat them safely.

• Eczema is more than just itchy skin. It can burn, sting, and keep you up at night. Hear from people living with eczema about what it really feels like — and how they find relief.

• Managing eczema naturally: Some essential oils can trigger flare-ups, while others — like coconut and sunflower oils — may soothe and protect skin. Learn which ones help (and which to skip).

What is dyshidrotic eczema (dyshidrosis)?

Dyshidrotic eczema (also called pompholyx) is a type of eczema that causes tiny, itchy blisters to develop on the fingers, hands, and feet. It’s most common in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Researchers don’t know what causes dyshidrotic eczema, but it tends to be more common in people with atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema). 

What does hand eczema look like?

When hand eczema starts, it can be mistaken for dry skin. But there’s a way to tell the difference. If the problem is dry skin, a good moisturizer should be able to fix it. But with eczema, there’s inflammation under the dry skin’s surface. That means you’ll likely have other symptoms along with dry skin (like cracks or blisters). And using a moisturizer alone may not be enough to heal them. 

Here are some pictures to help you see what hand eczema looks like.

Mild eczema on the palm of the hand.

More severe eczema on the fingers causing discoloration and skin thickening.

Eczema blisters and scaly patches on the fingers.

Severe eczema on the hand.

Tips to prevent and treat hand eczema

To help manage hand eczema, you can add these six simple steps to your routine. 

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1. Choose the right cleanser 

Wash your hands with a fragrance-free soap and avoid using hand sanitizer when possible. Hand sanitizers contain ingredients like alcohol and solvents that can be harsh on your skin. 

Don’t forget to remove rings before washing. This is because soap and water can get trapped underneath and cause irritation. See below for more details on what to look for in a hand soap. 

2. Avoid hot water

Washing your hands in hot water doesn’t make them cleaner, but it does damage your skin. So use lukewarm water to wash your hands. If you have eczema on other parts of your body, the same also applies to the temperature of your shower or bath water. 

3. Be gentle 

Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your skin too vigorously. Like harsh soaps and hot water, this can damage the skin and cause inflammation. Dry your hands by gently patting them with a disposable, soft paper towel or tissue. 

4. Moisturize all the time 

Apply a moisturizer right after washing your hands, while the skin is still damp. This helps to lock in moisture. Reapply whenever your skin feels dry. Here are some other tips for moisturizing your hands:

• Use oil-based creams and ointments, which improve skin damage (more on choosing the best moisturizer below).  

• Keep a tube of moisturizer near every sink and carry one in your bag so you don’t forget. 

• Overnight, use petroleum jelly on your hands under cotton gloves. 

5. Use gloves to protect your hands 

Use vinyl gloves with cotton liners for any housework. This includes dishwashing, handwashing clothes, and any time you use antiseptic wipes or cleaning products. 

You can also use gloves when shampooing or applying hair products. Wrapping rubber bands around your gloves near the forearm prevents water from getting in. And when outside temperatures drop, wear warm gloves whenever you go outside.

6. Find ways to manage stress

Stress is a normal part of life, and eliminating it isn’t possible. But finding ways to keep your stress levels healthy can help keep eczema flares at bay. Here are some tips to add to your toolbox:

• Practice mindfulness and meditation.

• Spend time in nature.

• Play with animals.

• Keep a gratitude journal. 

• Practice deep breathing. 

• Move your body.  

• Lean on your support network.

How to choose a good moisturizer for hand eczema

When it comes to hand eczema, moisturizers aren’t all created equal. The best ones help repair the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and soothe inflamed skin. To get the best results from your moisturizer, look for ones that have some of these ingredients:

• Ceramides

• Aloe

• Glycerin

• Lanolin

• Petrolatum or vaseline

• Mineral oil

You can also search for moisturizers with the “Seal of Acceptance” from the National Eczema Association.

What type of hand soap is best for people with eczema?

For people with hand eczema, using the right soap is an important part of keeping skin healthy and free of eczema. Many soaps have ingredients that can dry or irritate your skin. They can strip away the skin’s natural oils, which disrupts the protective skin barrier. This leads to skin irritation and eczema. 

When choosing soap for eczema-prone skin, try to avoid the following ingredients:

• Fragrances

• Dyes or colorants 

• Detergents, like sodium lauryl sulfate

• Preservatives, like propylene glycol and formaldehyde

But if you’re overwhelmed by choice, or you’re still not sure, search for products that have the National Eczema Association’s “Seal of Acceptance.” 

Best treatment for hand eczema

The best way to treat eczema on the hands is to prevent it in the first place. This is because protecting your skin barrier helps to prevent the skin inflammation that causes the eczema rash.   

Protecting your skin barrier involves moisturizing your hands frequently and avoiding any irritants that can damage it. 

For mild hand eczema flares, over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone can help. Use it 2 to 3 times a day for up to 1 week. This may be enough to control symptoms. But if it isn’t, there are some prescription-only creams and ointments you can try.

Prescription creams for hand eczema

Here are some examples of the best prescription medications for hand eczema:

• Steroids: clobetasol, betamethasone, fluocinonide, desoximetasone, or triamcinolone

• Calcineurin inhibitors: pimecrolimus or tacrolimus

• Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors: crisaborole (Eucrisa)

• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors: ruxolitinib (Opzelura) 

• Barrier creams: Hylatopic, Levicyn, Neosalus, Epiceram, or Eletone

Stronger medications

In rare cases, medicated creams aren’t enough. You may need to rely on stronger treatments, including:

• Steroid pills: prednisone or methylprednisolone

• Light therapy: narrowband UVB or psoralen with UVA

• Immunosuppressants: cyclosporine, azathioprine, or methotrexate

• Biologics: dupilumab (Dupixent)

When should you see a doctor for hand eczema?

If your symptoms are mild, adjusting your skin care practices might be enough. But if you’re struggling to keep on top of your eczema symptoms, you may need professional help. 

See your primary care provider or a dermatologist if you notice any of the following on your skin: 

• Blisters 

• Redness 

• Oozing 

• Scabbing 

• Cracking 

• Pain

How to diagnose hand eczema 

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can usually diagnose hand eczema by looking at your hands and asking questions about your symptoms. Sometimes additional tests are needed, including:

• Skin biopsy: A dermatologist numbs your skin and removes a small piece of skin. The sample is sent to a lab for examination under the microscope. 

• Skin scraping: With this test, a medical professional scrapes off a superficial layer of skin cells with a blade. These get examined under a microscope to look for fungal infection.

• Patch testing: This test involves applying small amounts of possible allergens like metals, fragrances, preservatives, or rubber chemicals to the skin on special patches. The patches are applied to the skin for a few days and then removed to see if they cause an allergic skin reaction. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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