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Hand Rashes

These lectures are not meant to replace your physician and are simply provided as a free educational service to all our visitors. If you feel that you have a skin problem, please see your doctor.

If you have sensitive skin that is irritated by your profession than you may have some options. First of all, you should understand why hand irritation occurs. The hands are frequently exposed to the elements. In other words, external environments in the health care fields, beauty salon fields, restaurant business and any other professions that result in exposure to chemical irritants such as soaps, detergents, chemical cleansers, dyes, fragrances, perfumes, medications, body fluids, etc. can irritate the skin. However, when these factors are combined with frequent water exposure or a predisposition towards eczema, then hand rashes and irritation commonly occur.

Hand rashes are commonly referred to as "hand dermatitis", "hand eczema", "irritant dermatitis" or "dishpan hands". They are characterized by red, irritated, broken, cracked, itchy, painful skin rash.

There is a new product now available called "Pro-Q". This product was originally developed for health care workers such as nurses, aids, techs, doctors, surgeons to protect their hands from body fluids as well as irritants from frequent hand washing such as soap, water and detergants. Pro-Q is now used by any individual that is exposed to chemicals, dyes, fragrances, soaps and water. These professions would include beauty salon operators, dishwashers, restaurateurs, chemists, lab workers, hair stylists, gardeners, florists, etc. "Pro-Q" is easy to use by spraying on the hands prior to exposures. It is not greasy and is non-obtrusive. "Pro-Q" is available at Skinstore.com. Other treatment options would include frequent applications of a skin barrier cream called SBR-lipocream, which can be applied up to four times a day. It serves to repair and maintain skin barrier function against dry, chapped and cracked skin due to repeated use of water, detergents or irritants. If the hands do not improve with these measures, occasionally cortisone prescribed topically by a dermatologist can be helpful.

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