This information is intended for education of both the general public and healthcare professionals. If you are experiencing any symptoms please discuss the best treatment options with your doctor.
What is Chronic Hand Eczema?
Chronic Hand Eczema is a multifactorial, inflammatory skin disease.1,2
It is defined as hand eczema that lasts for more than three months, or relapses twice or more often in a year.1
The overall one-year prevalence of hand eczema is up to 9-11%.3,4
Not an actual patient
However, in certain occupations, this figure is up to 40% and hand eczema is the most common occupational skin disease.1
Chronic Hand Eczema is a heterogenous disease and patients present with a combination of signs and symptoms on their hands and wrists. These include:1,2,5
- Itch
- Pain
- Erythema
- Scaling
- Lichenification
- Hyperkeratosis
- Vesicles
- Edema
- Fissures on hands and wrists
Quality of life impact
Chronic Hand Eczema can have a high psychological, functional, and occupational burden and can restrict patients' abilities to pertorm everyday tasks.1,2,6
The health-related quality of life impairment of moderate to severe Chronic Hand Eczema can be greater than other dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.7,8
A qualitative study was conducted on n=20 patients with Chronic Hand Eczema:2
80% of patients reported embarrassment with the appearance of their hands2
75% of patients reported sleep disruption2
65% of patients reported limitations on performing domestic chores2
60% of patients reported an impact on work2
60% of patients reported an impact on self-care2
The authors recommend that findings from this small qualitative study are corroborated with findings from other samples.2
What is Chronic Hand Eczema?
This bitesize animation contains the essential facts and figures about Chronic Hand Eczema
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Related content
The burden of Chronic Hand Eczema
Chronic Hand Eczema can cause visible and functional impairments to the hands, so it can have a profoundly negative impact on patient quality of life2,3,6,7
Understanding Chronic Hand Eczema
Chronic Hand Eczema is characterized by erythema, vesicles, papules, scaling, fissures, hyperkeratosis, itch, and pain1
Managing and treating Chronic Hand Eczema
To work towards patient goals, the management of Chronic Hand Eczema involves lifestyle changes to minimize contact with triggers, and pharmacological therapies1,6