A Dermatologist's Guide to Hand Rashes

Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, many dermatologists have seen a rise in hand rashes or hand dermatitis specifically in relation to increased hand hygiene. For those suffering with hand dermatitis, the pain and itchiness can be debilitating. There are a number of different causes of hand rashes, most commonly, irritant contact dermatitis, which accounts for about 80% of cases. Other common causes of hand dermatitis include eczema, psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis, and tinea manuum. Unfortunately, while using treatments such as topical steroids may provide some temporary relief, it often doesn't eliminate the primary source of the problem. Below you will find some of my favorite tips for alleviating hand dermatitis.

1. Avoid excess handwashing

Excessive handwashing is the number 1 cause of hand dermatitis. While soap is an essential component to hand hygiene, it strips the skin of its natural oils and leaves the skin vulnerable to dryness and damage. Of course washing your hands after going to the bathroom, before preparing food or handling meat, after touching garbage or animal waste, coughing, sneezing or when your hands are in any way visibly soiled is inevitable, but handwashing outside of these scenarios should be limited as much as possible.

2. Avoid harsh soaps

While fragranced soaps are always enticing, they can significantly worsen hand dermatitis due to the added fragrance, which can pose as both an allergen or an irritant even if you've never had issues with these types of soaps in the past. Many people also opt for antibacterial soaps, which contain added ingredients, however, according to the FDA, these ingredients have not been shown to be better at preventing illness than regular soap and water. Dish soap can also be particularly harsh. If your hands are soiled and require washing, I would opt for a gentle cleanser such as Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or Dove bar soap. These soaps are generally less damaging to the skin and don't strip the natural oils as much as other cleansers. If you find that the majority of your handwashing takes places outside of your home, consider buying travel size soaps including Cetaphil or CeraVe that you can keep in your pocket and use instead of the harsh industrial soaps that are provided.

3. Use more hand sanitizer

This may seem counterintuitive, but unfortunately soaps strip the skin of their natural oils resulting in worsening of hand dermatitis. Hand sanitizer on the other hand, maintains the skins natural oils while still cleaning the skin from bacteria. If you have any cuts or openings on the skin, using hand sanitizer may be out of the question, but once your hands have healed with the other methods mentioned in this blog, then hand sanitizer use can be more easily incorporated.

4. Wear gloves

There are so many harsh chemicals that can be very damaging to the skin. Unfortunately, many hobbies such as painting, pottery, or gardening as well as occupations such as mechanics, nurses, doctors, housecleaners, and homemakers can significantly contribute to hand rashes. Gloves can be an excellent way to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and other irritants. If you are looking for gloves, I frequently recommend Mr. Clean Bliss gloves as they come with a soft interior lining.

5. Apply moisturizer frequently and consistently

Particularly after handwashing when the natural oils have been stripped away, it is extremely important to replenish the moisture in your skin with a thick and hydrating moisturizer. Some studies have recommended moisturizing your hands upwards of 15 to 25 times daily for those suffering from hand dermatitis in order to repair their skin barrier. Keeping a thick cream-based moisturizer such as Cetaphil, CeraVe, or Eucerin next to your sink can be helpful. For severe cases, I also recommend patients apply an ointment-based moisturizer such as Vaseline, CeraVe healing ointment, or Aquaphor healing ointment to their hands at night with cotton gloves on top for a deep hydration treatment overnight.

If your hands are still itchy and dry after implementing these methods, it is worth seeking a referral to dermatology to assess for other causes of your hand rash including allergic contact dermatitis or fungal infections, which may require additional evaluation and targeted treatment.

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This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified dermatologist or healthcare provider for personalized diagnosis and treatment of any skin or scalp condition. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, seek professional medical attention promptly.