Our hands are extremely important parts of our bodies. With them, we have most of our contact with external bodies, objects, and all kinds of things we touch. That’s exactly why they are more likely to be affected by substances that can cause an allergy. But what exactly is hand allergy? What symptoms may occur? How can this problem be treated? If you want to better understand this condition, read today’s article and find out all the information!
What Is Hand Allergy?
Any manifestation resulting from a reaction to one or more external agents can be considered a hand allergy. Such an allergy can present in different ways, such as swelling, red spots, flaky skin, itching, peeling skin, or even a combination of these symptoms. Hand allergy can appear on only one hand or on both, depending on the contact the person had with the causative agent. In addition, it may appear more mildly or more severely on each hand as well. It is important not to confuse hand allergy with skin diseases that can affect only this area of the body, such as psoriasis or dyshidrosis, for example. So whenever similar symptoms appear, it is important to see a doctor to investigate the causes and find the right treatment for your case.
Why Do We Have Hand Allergies?
Allergies are hypersensitivities of our body that cause our immune system to react in various ways, including all the symptoms we have mentioned here. For this reason, it is not possible to point to only one factor that causes this type of allergy. The main factors include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Very cold or very hot weather
- Contact with products that remove the skin’s natural protection, such as cleaning products
- Use of costume jewelry
- Use of certain medications
The fact that hands are the part of our body that most often comes into contact with objects from the external environment also makes them one of the areas most sensitive to allergies. 
Types of Hand Allergies
Now that you understand better what hand allergy is and why it happens, we can finally talk about the main existing types. They are:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Atopic Dermatitis
Let’s discuss each of them individually so you understand their main characteristics.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis1, as the name suggests, is the type of allergy that appears when the hand comes into contact with an allergenic agent. This agent can range from chemicals, costume jewelry, and even certain types of plants. It is always important to identify which type of agent you are allergic to, so treatment can be carried out in the best way.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis2 is mainly characterized by dry skin, but it also presents with symptoms such as itching and redness. This type of allergy may arise due to factors like cold weather or when your hand is in contact with cold water for a long time, for example. This type of allergy occurs in phases and may be more intense or milder at different times.
How to Treat Hand Allergy?
As we said before, one of the main steps to not only treat hand allergy but any allergy is to identify the causative agent and avoid contact with it as much as possible. While this isn’t a treatment by itself, it helps a lot to prevent common problems. In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid or an antihistamine to relieve symptoms. It is important to stress that you should never self-medicate, as only a doctor can accurately determine when the use of these medications is truly necessary.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Hand allergies usually do not present very severe symptoms and can be managed with some skincare measures. However, there are times when they start to interfere with your daily activities and in these cases, it is important to seek professional help. Additionally, it is always recommended that you have check-ups to make sure everything is okay with your health and to identify problems such as hand allergy. This way, even if it is not currently flaring up, your doctor can recommend treatments for when you need them3. Just like any other type of allergy, hand allergies can bring various complications and be quite bothersome in our lives. For this reason, it is always important to learn more about what this condition is and how to treat it. That way, any complications will certainly be less severe. The best kind of care you can give your health is always preventive care. Remember that.
