Chronic hand eczema: when the skin hinders daily life
"Chronic hand eczema isn't just an itchy condition; it's also extremely painful," explains Professor Florence Tetart, a dermatologist at Rouen University Hospital. "Our hands represent a small portion of our body surface area, but we use them all the time. Chronic hand eczema therefore has repercussions on a daily basis: in social and family relationships, but also in our professional lives. It's a heavy burden for patients to bear and generates a lot of stress, which also triggers flare-ups. It's like a snake biting its own tail!"
With hands always visible, the disease also affects self-image. In the Northwest region, an OpinionWay survey for LEO Pharma highlights the real-world repercussions of the disease. During flare-ups, 39% of respondents report a reduced quality of life. Sleep (40%), emotional state (39%), and household chores (37%) are among the areas most affected. On an emotional level, anxiety (64%), stress (62%), and frustration (50%) dominate. And for 62% of patients, the disappearance of symptoms would represent a major relief.
A reality still little known
Chronic hand eczema remains a poorly identified condition. It can be linked to different types of eczema (atopic, allergic, irritative, hyperkeratotic, etc.). It is often aggravated by everyday actions: overly frequent washing, contact with household products or allergens, cold, humidity, but also stress…
"Good management of chronic hand eczema must be based on a multidisciplinary approach involving the general practitioner, then the dermatologist if the treatment prescribed by the first is no longer sufficient, and the allergist to set up the necessary assessments to find the causes," explains Professor Florence Tetart. "However, we are seeing today that the difficulty of accessing specialist consultations in certain areas complicates the care pathway for patients, who sometimes have to wait several months for relief," she continues. "Furthermore, many patients are not aware that they can contact occupational health to make adjustments to their professional life," she adds.
Recognizing hand eczema as a real, disabling disease
Too often trivialized, chronic hand eczema deserves to be recognized for what it is: a condition that can truly hamper daily life. LEO Pharma advocates for better care, tailored to the reality experienced by patients. At the first persistent signs—redness, itching, cracking skin—it's essential to consult a healthcare professional. Only they can make a clear diagnosis and suggest the most appropriate solutions for each situation.
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