Wash your hands!  However, there can be some issues for people as they correctly follow CDC guidelines.

COVID-19 has everyone washing and sanitizing their hands more frequently than usual. The CDC has recommended frequent hand washing and sanitizing to prevent the spread of this virus. The global pandemic has resulted in a shortage of hand soap and hand sanitizer. There are even YouTube and Facebook videos on how to make your own hand sanitizer from rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel.

Unfortunately, more frequent hand cleaning can lead to hand dermatitis (irritated skin on the hands). Some of the symptoms are red, scaly, flaky, and itchy skin on the hands. In severe cases, the skin on the hands might crack and bleed.

Keep washing and sanitizing your hands, but here are 7 suggestions to prevent and treat hand dermatitis:

1. Use lukewarm (not hot) water and soap to wash your hands. Follow CDC guidelines and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
2. Avoid scented soaps if possible.
3. Hand sanitizer is more damaging to your skin than soap/water cleansing. The homemade versions are likely to be the most damaging to the skin barrier.
4. Use a bland lotion or moisturizer (Cetaphil, Cerave, Vanicream) to moisturize your hands after you wash.
5. At bedtime, moisturize with an ointment moisturizer (Vaseline, Vaniply, Aquafor Healing ointment). Absorption will be maximized if you cover your hands with cotton gloves or clean white socks. This will increase the temperature of your hands slightly, and the pores will open to better absorb the moisture.
6. If your hands continue to worsen, you can mix over-the-counter cortisone cream with ointment at night.
7. If your hands crack or bleed, please call our office at 205.877.9773. We offer telemedicine, virtual visits. You may need an antibiotic or stronger cortisone cream.

We offer several topical products that we recommend for use during this time for those of you that are suffering from hand dermatitis at this time.  Some of our favorite products include Alastin Balm, Epionce Medical Barrier Cream, Vanicream, and CeraVe.

If you need to purchase any of these products please call our office or visit our online store to purchase them directly from us.

As always, stay safe out there and wash your hands!

Wendy Cantrell, DNP, CRNP, and the Village Dermatology Team

The post 7 Ways to Prevent Hand Dermatitis During COVID-19 appeared first on Village Dermatology.

Eczema is a common name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy, and inflamed. Included under the name eczema are several different types of this condition, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular dermatitis.

Question 1:  How many Americans are affected by eczema?

It is estimated that over 30 million Americans have some type of eczema.

Question 2:  What are the symptoms of eczema?

Individuals with eczema typically experience some degree of itching ranging from mild to severe. Other symptoms that vary person to person may include dry/sensitive skin, red and inflamed skin, dark-colored patches of skin, oozing or crusting, and swelling.

Question 3:  Is it worse in the wintertime? This question may be redundant based on other answers.

Some people find that their eczema flare-ups occur more frequently or get worse in the winter. Dry air combined with indoor heating systems is more likely to dry out the skin. Flareups can also be caused by wearing too many layers of clothing, taking hot baths, and using too many bed coverings. These are all things people are more likely to do during the winter months.

Question 4:  What is the treatment for eczema?

The cornerstone of eczema treatment is the daily practice of good skincare: bathing, moisturizing, using OTC and prescription medications as prescribed and avoidance of triggers. Prescription treatments may include skin creams, light therapy, and in severe cases, there are systemic agents that may be used.  Moreover, many pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in research for better treatment options.  In fact, there is currently a new injectable medication to treat moderate to severe eczema.

Question 5:  What are the most common triggers for eczema?

Commons triggers include everyday irritants such as metals, soaps, and cleaners, fabrics, antibiotic ointments; physical triggers such as stress, skin germs, sweat, long/hot baths or showers; climate such as change in season, hot weather, cold/dry weather, high or low humidity; airborne allergens such as pet dander, pollen, mold, dust mites, and second-hand smoke.

Question 6:  Will my eczema ever go away?

Eczema is a chronic condition, but more often than not, kids tend to outgrow as they get older. However, others may continue to have flares that continue into adulthood. Even adults can develop eczema even if they didn’t have it as a child. At this time, there is no cure for eczema, but it is a condition that can be treated and better controlled.

Question 7:  Is eczema dangerous if untreated?

Currently, there is a lot of research on this subject.  To give you an analogy, years ago, we would have said that psoriasis was not “dangerous,” but the more we learn about that disease state we know that because of the high levels of inflammation in the body it can lead to a host of other issues outside of just being classified as a skin disease.  So the honest answer to the is question is we don’t know, and we are learning more about eczema every day.

Conclusion

Eczema can be a frustrating condition to deal with if not controlled correctly.  Partnering with an expert dermatology healthcare provider can ensure you are getting the best treatment options for your eczema.  As always, our team here at Village Dermatology is ready to help you manage any skin condition more effectively.  We have highly qualified dermatology providers and use the latest technology and information to treat our patients.

Live a beautiful life

More blogs and information about Eczema:

What is Eczema?

The post Eczema – 7 Questions and Answers appeared first on Village Dermatology.