Skin problems: Help for chronic hand eczema

The hands itch, are inflamed, and have bloody cracks. Contact with water or irritants is just as painful as shaking hands after work. Anyone who suffers from chronic hand eczema (CHE) in the trades knows this: severe flare-ups and periods of slight improvement can alternate.

When skincare products and sunscreens no longer provide adequate protection, many sufferers wonder if their job is at risk. This can be avoided with individually tailored therapy. A check-up with a dermatologist provides clarity about the severity, cause, and appropriate treatment approaches. A new information and service page offers access to an online dermatological check.

Photo: © stock.adobe.com/Юлия Черкасова

Those who work in the trades have an increased risk of developing hand eczema – the most common occupational skin disease. Around six million people work in the trades in Germany, many of them daily under conditions that systematically damage their hands: wet work, cleaning agents, lubricants, cement with alkaline and allergenic properties, epoxy resins in adhesives and coatings, as well as mechanical irritation – these factors often act simultaneously and exacerbate each other. Up to 40 percent of employees in high-risk occupations are currently affected by hand eczema , including chronic hand eczema.

Everything under control: The hands as an important tool

Working in wet conditions increases the risk of developing hand eczema. Photo: © stock.adobe.com/xartproduction

In chronic hand eczema (CHE) , which lasts longer than three months or recurs at least twice a year, the protective function of the skin's natural barrier can be disrupted by constant contact with irritants and allergens. Typical symptoms include cracked, scaly, itchy, or painful skin, as well as blisters on the hands and wrists. Anyone noticing these signs should take them seriously. CHE can put a significant strain on both body and mind, make work and daily life a challenge , and in the worst-case scenario, force someone to leave their job.

If symptoms persist or recur, a check-up with the company doctor, general practitioner , or a dermatologist is recommended to determine the severity, causes, and appropriate treatment. If occupational chronic fatigue syndrome (CHE) is suspected, the dermatological procedure can be initiated: Upon approval, the employers' liability insurance associations cover the costs of treatment and specific preventative measures.

A skin check by a specialist is worthwhile.

"Inadequately treated chronic hand eczema is a major burden both personally and professionally. Early consultation with a specialist is advisable, also from an economic perspective," says Dr. Leonard Harries from Hanover, who regularly treats people with chronic hand eczema . "If effective therapy is prescribed and applied in a timely manner, work incapacity due to the illness can often be avoided."

Photo: © stock.adobe.com/eyepark

Cortisone creams can usually provide rapid relief from inflammation, but in the long term, they can lead to thinning of the skin and impair its barrier function . If cortisone is ineffective in treating moderate to severe chronic hand eczema , or is unsuitable due to side effects, for example, innovative cortisone-free therapies are now available. "Even if those affected have already tried many things, it's worth seeking further specialist advice," emphasizes Dr. Harries. "Even after years. Or especially then. The treatment of chronic hand eczema has advanced significantly in recent years."

Background: Online Check Current information, tips and access to a dermatological online check can be found here.