Dermatitis on hands

[Lesley38]

Hi, I've been suffering from dermatitis on the palms of my hands for over a year now. At first I could get control it with the use of steroid cream but recently it just won't get better.the worst thing is I can't pinpoint what I'm allergic to. It's now started to really get me down, has anyone got any advice on what can help? I would be so grateful!

[gfmum1]

I find that if I avoid all hand washes (I carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser round in my bag all the time), and avoid SLS then the dermatitis I used to suffer from is minimised - not gone completely, but very small patches now compared to what it was before. I rarely use steroid cream now, but I do use Aveeno body lotion frequently. If I'm at home/work I use it after every time I wash my hands.

[Lesley38 in reply to gfmum1]

Thankyou for your reply, I avoid sls too, I will try the aveno and hand sanitiser too

[lovesradio]

I changed from using Persil Non-bio laundry tablets to Fairy Non-bio and the pomphlyx eczema on my palms gradually disappeared. I only use Dermol to wash my hands and have found Neutrogena unscented concentrated Norwegian Formula to be very moisturising and reduces itching. But it's always a case of trial and error.

[Lesley38]

Thankyou...I will see about getting dermal...we have changed our washing powder too to a plant based one instead, hasn't had any effect..I'm wondering if it may be stress related rather than an allergy which is a vicious cycle as the more the dermatitis comes back the more stressed I feel!. It began when I started to learn to drive which I found and still do find extremely stressful. I also wondered if I was allergic to the plastic the steering wheel and gear stick is made of!. I am booked in at the doctors next week and am going to push to get a referral to a dermatologist so hopefully will get some answers soon!

[Correenp]

Is it only one palm? Can u post a photo?

[Lesley38]

Hi, it was only on one palm for about a year, in the last 2weeks or so it has appeared on the other palm too. I don't know how to upload a picture?

[Andrea85]

Hi I have really bad attacks on both hands and feet - no one knows what the cause is, had it for 20 years, I have never been free of it but I find antihistamine tablets help to take the itch away, I had to ask my doctor for strong ones as the ones over the counter were not strong enough, but may be ok for your needs - I find that if you can control the itch it's 3/4's of the battle. Hope this helps

[Lesley38]

Hi, thanks for the reply, sorry ur having this problem too and for so long!. I purchased some medisure cotton gloves last week, put on loads of moisturiser and then put the gloves on for half an hour or so, have done this 3/4 times a day and the improvement has been amazing!.I Just put a little hydrocortisone cream on if I spot it's flairing up a little. Wear them at night too and they're not itching at all!also wearing them when doing house work and laundry and inside rubber gloves for washing up and washing hair. I've got a doctors appointment next week for it and sods law it's nearly cleared up!

[Tothemax Volunteer]

proskin excema by mama naturals is said ti work great. I half been reserching this product and it gets great write ups. My cuz uses there psoriasiis salveation and it has worked like a miracle. Maybe the proskin excema will also be a miracle.

[Hidden]

Hi Leslie- an aunt had the same problem- She found she had a metal allergy. Her hands were

red with contact dermatitis. She always had to wear rubber gloves for washing up. If you buy gloves make sure they have no powder in them as some people are allergic to them.

It could be another allergy such as washing up liquid, soap, or ammonia and chlorine in bleach

which can have an effect even when diluted and put on a cloth and sponge.

You might find vitamin f cream in some ranges such as cyclax with evening primrose oil helpful.

Other creams are vitamin E and other vitamins found in coconut oil. You can buy organic coconut oil and use a little over your skin area. To avoid messiness you can wear cotton gloves.

You might find applying medicated honey wound gel, will help placing it on your hands overnight. It helps eczema and dermatitis and is naturally anti bacterial encouraging the skin to repair itself It is in a tube like an ointment. Can be bought from online sites such as Holland Barat or chemist.co. uk. made by Comvita. Best of luck. Keep your hands out of water!

[goulart]

I have suffered form eczema in my hands for years to find out that the culprit was gluten.

Heavy bloating and milk intolerance were the symptoms that made me change my diet.

Eczema did not go away easily, the smallest dust of gluten found in standard oats was triggering the eczema. Switched to gluten free oats and that prevented further eczema flares.

From the moment the eczema flares starts it takes at least 3 weeks to heal.

I've noticed that the eczema always started with very small dots building under the skin, and so I've started paying attention to those and trying to correlate with what I've eaten.

Today, after being gluten free for over a year, I am not milk intolerant anymore, drink milk kefir everyday, plenty of fruits and raw vegetables, including raw onion, garlic, cabbage, without getting bloated.

My understanding is that gluten causes damage in the intestine walls and that leads to food intolerances, bloating and skin problems.

[Murphy4us]

Hi, I've had the same problem for several years now, tried everything, went to a dermatologist, first had ultra violet light treatments, then laser treatments for months, it cleared up for a short time, but returned and I've never been able to clear it up completely again. I have used every cream they had including steroids, so now I use petroleum jelly, or vicks vapor rub at night and wear gloves. This seems to work as well as all the other treatments I've gone through. I'm still looking all the time for a actual cure. Hope this will help you, can't hurt to try. Vivian