What if my hands are already damaged, dry or cracking? 1. ACT EARLY Treat hand dermatitis as soon as it occurs, otherwise it will get worse. 2. APPLY PETROLEUM JELLY If you think you’ve lost your nail cuticle (the protective barrier between the nail and nail fold), water will be able to seep into the nail fold, causing swelling and dermatitis. Use petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, as a sealant to prevent further water damage. Petroleum jelly can also be used on skin cracks for the same reason. 3. SEEK MEDICAL HELP If there are any red, dry and itchy areas, indicating active dermatitis, seek help from your GP or dermatologist. They can start you on a short burst of an ointment that contains corticosteroids until the rash subsides. Prescription ointments are likely to be
more effective than over-the-counter creams because of their higher potency. But you could start with buying 1% hydrocortisone ointment, not cream, from the chemist. Read more: What can you use a telehealth consult for and when should you physically visit your GP? Sometimes dermatitis can become infected with skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Seek medical advice if you experience symptoms such as persistent soreness or pain. You should also seek medical help if you have severe hand dermatitis not responding to home treatments. Most GPs and dermatologists are moving to or have started using telehealth so you can consult them using a video call, minimising face- to-face appointments. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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