Is Your Work Making Your Hand Eczema Worse?

Your hands come into contact with almost everything you do at work. Water, soap, cleaning products, food, chemicals and gloves may seem harmless on their own, but repeated exposure can slowly damage the skin.

This can lead to hand eczema, especially in jobs where hands are constantly wet or exposed to irritating substances.

The skin on your hands acts as a protective barrier. The skin on the palms is thicker, but it also faces a lot of daily stress because we use our hands constantly.

Once the skin barrier becomes damaged, substances that normally stay on the surface can enter the skin more easily. This can cause redness, dryness, itching, cracks and inflammation.



There are two common types of occupational hand eczema.

Irritant contact dermatitis happens when repeated exposure gradually damages the skin. Frequent handwashing, detergents, disinfectants and chemicals can all contribute to it.

Allergic contact dermatitis happens when the immune system becomes sensitive to a particular substance. After a person becomes sensitised, even a small amount of that substance can trigger a reaction.

Some people can have both types at the same time. This is why finding the exact trigger is important.

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers may wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitisers and gloves throughout the day.

Repeated washing and exposure to glove materials can irritate the skin. Some people can also develop an allergy to specific chemicals used in gloves.

Hairdressers regularly work with hair dyes, bleaching products, shampoos and other chemicals.

Some ingredients in bleaching and hair treatment products can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Frequent contact with water can also weaken the skin barrier.

Kitchen workers often have wet hands for long periods. They may also handle detergents, food ingredients and heat.

Certain foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions and garlic, can irritate sensitive skin in some people. Frequent washing can make the problem worse.

Cleaning jobs often involve regular contact with detergents, disinfectants and other cleaning products.

Repeated exposure without enough protection can leave the hands dry, cracked and irritated.

Workers who handle cement, oils, solvents, dust or other materials may also be at risk.

Repeated contact with these substances can damage the skin and make existing eczema worse.



With irritant contact dermatitis, repeated exposure slowly damages the skin. The skin may become red, dry, cracked and scaly. Over time, repeated scratching can make it thicker and rougher.

With allergic contact dermatitis, the reaction may not appear immediately. It can develop hours or even a few days after contact with the substance that triggered it.

This can make it difficult to work out what caused the reaction.

A dermatologist may recommend patch testing if an allergy is suspected. During this test, small amounts of common allergens are placed on the skin to identify possible triggers.

In many cases, irritant hand eczema can improve when the skin is given time to recover and exposure to the trigger is reduced.

Moisturisers and protective measures can help support the skin barrier. Doctors may also prescribe treatments such as topical corticosteroids when needed.

Allergic contact dermatitis is different. Once a person becomes allergic to a particular substance, avoiding that substance becomes especially important.

For some workers, this may mean changing the products they use, improving protective measures or, in severe cases, discussing changes to their work duties with an occupational health professional.

Do not keep treating recurring hand problems as simple dry skin.

Consider seeing a dermatologist if your hand eczema:

• Keeps coming back
• Does not improve after reducing exposure to irritants
• Causes painful cracks or significant swelling
• Interferes with your work
• Appears repeatedly after contact with a particular product
• Shows signs of infection

A dermatologist can determine whether the problem is irritant or allergic contact dermatitis and help identify possible triggers.

You may not always be able to avoid the substances used in your job, but you can reduce exposure.

Use suitable protective gloves when needed, avoid unnecessary contact with harsh products, use gentle cleansers and apply moisturiser regularly. If your symptoms keep returning, getting a proper diagnosis is more useful than repeatedly treating the problem on your own.

Your occupation can be an important clue. If your hands improve when you are away from work and flare again when you return, discuss this pattern with a dermatologist.

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