WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
THE SIGNS
CHRONIC HAND ECZEMA CAN LOOK DIFFERENT ON DIFFERENT PEOPLE
It can be useful to know the right words to describe the signs of Chronic Hand Eczema. On light skin there may be redness, while on dark skin, skin may appear darker. Skin might also look flaky.
The images and descriptions in these materials are provided as general illustrations of signs that can occur with hand eczema. Hand eczema can present differently between individuals and may change over time. Some examples may show a mix of features seen in longer term disease and in short term flare ups. Not every person will experience all the signs shown. The images do not provide medical advice and it is not a substitute for a healthcare professional’s assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.
LICHENIFICATION
Hard, rough patches of skin that might look darker or lighter than the skin around it
OEDEMA
Swelling of the skin
VESICLES
Small bumps normally clear and filled with a fluid
FISSURES
Cracks in the skin
HYPERKERATOSIS
Thickening of the outer layer of the skin
SCALING
Flakes of skin
ERYTHEMA
A change in colour of an area of skin – on white skin tones, skin may look red, while on black, brown and olive skin tones, skin may appear darker than other areas
Images sourced and permissions obtained from DermNET© https://dermnetnz.org/
A retrospective study included 1,939 patients with chronic hand eczema to describe doctor-reported signs, symptoms and disease sites from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.1
AROUND 3 OUT OF 4 PEOPLE HAD 3 OR MORE OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC HAND ECZEMA, BUT IT’S POSSIBLE TO ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO1
Chronic Hand Eczema
can show up on the:1
A. Fingertips
for around 42% of people
B. Spaces between fingers
for around 37% of people
C. Palms
for around 57% of people
D. Wrists
for around 28% of people
The areas affected can be different across people, and some may have signs of Chronic Hand Eczema on multiple areas at the same time.
This is a fictional patient. For illustrative purposes only.
89% OF PEOPLE LIVING
WITH HAND ECZEMA HAVE
FELT EMBARRASSED OR
SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT IT†2
70% HAVE WORN GLOVES OR
HIDDEN THEIR HANDS AWAY IN
POCKETS †2
†This study involved a survey with questions about hand eczema’s demographics and psychosocial impact. It was completed by 1023 patients with hand eczema.
RELATED CONTENT
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? THE SYMPTOMS
LIVING WITH CHRONIC HAND ECZEMA
