Hand dermatitis

Dermatology

Our hands are like very important tools as they enable us to perform many tasks.

You want them to:

• Look good as they are always on show

• Work their best at all times

• Function and not break down

• Be repaired immediately if they do break down

1. Avoid exposure to irritants

• Soap, detergents, solvents and water are irritants which dry the skin.
• Wear gloves as often as possible for any washing, cleaning or work where you need to wash your hands frequently. Choose flock-lined PVC or vinyl, not rubber gloves since the latter can cause dermatitis.
  – They should not be worn for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
  – If water happens to enter a glove, it must be taken off immediately.
  – Turn the gloves inside out and rinse them out and leave them to dry.
  – Cotton gloves can be used underneath plastic gloves.
  – Change the gloves after a few uses.
  – Buy several pairs of cotton and plastic gloves at a time.
• Wear gloves in cold weather
• Dry your hands carefully with a clean towel and dry between your fingers.
• Don’t peel or squeeze citrus fruit (for example; oranges, lemons, grapefruit) with your bare hands.
• Don’t apply hair dye with your bare hands. If your dermatitis is active wear plastic gloves to apply shampoo, or let someone else shampoo your hair.
• When doing housework, avoid wearing rings, even when your dermatitis has healed as they trap irritants. Rings should be cleaned frequently on the inside with a soft brush and a little water, then rinsed.
• Avoid direct contact with metal polish, wax polish, shoe, floor, car, furniture and window polishes.

2. Use a soap substitute

• Using an alternative to soap will clean your hands and help prevent irritation.
• We have recommended that you use:
  
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3. Use a moisturiser

• This is the key step to protect your hands and prevent them from drying out.
• Incorporate a moisturiser into your daily washing routine. You may prefer to use a cream or lotion during the day, but overnight a greasier ointment is preferable to ‘rescue’ your hands. Wearing cotton gloves overnight will also help
• We have recommended that you use:
  
  ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• Moisturise your hands after every time that you wash them. Keep a tube, tub or dispenser next to your sink at home and at work and next to your bed.
• Rub the moisturiser into the skin, over the fingers, in the web spaces, into the tops of your hands and palms. Also apply moisturiser to your wrists.
• Wear a pair of thin cotton gloves to bed at night to protect the sheets from getting greasy and to help stop “scratching damage”.
• If your cuticles are damaged (the area around the edge of your fingernails), protect them by “sealing the gap” with Vaseline before you wet your hands, including before a shower.

4. Treating the Dermatitis

• It is important to use the prescribed topical steroids as they help to reduce the inflammation, and should therefore be used whenever the skin is red, inflamed or damaged. Use the steroids to clear the dermatitis and stop once the skin becomes normal. Have your steroid preparation at hand for any new patches of dermatitis that occur so that you can apply it at the first signs of any new areas of dermatitis.
• When required, use the steroid preparations at night, before you go to bed. After applying it wait 10 minutes, then apply your moisturiser and then wear a pair of thin cotton gloves.
• Use ointments rather than creams, as creams contain preservatives, to which you can become allergic.
• For any patches of dermatitis, we have recommended that you use:
  
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Patient experience

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.

This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.

T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]

The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850 Extension: 54722

The Dermatology nurse, main outpatients department.
University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 8PE.
Telephone: 01642 617617 Extension: 24172

Dermatology clinic, main outpatients department.
University Hospital of Hartlepool, Holdforth Road, Hartlepool, TS24 9AH
Telephone: 01429 522750

ST1726