A hand rash is a skin condition that can be caused by a variety of causes, such as allergic reactions, exposure to irritating chemicals, or medical conditions such as: eczema. It may be discolored, itchy, or painful. Treatment depends on the cause and may include moisturizers, steroid creams, or prescription medications.
This article discusses possible causes and treatments for hand rashes. It also covers when you should contact your health care provider.
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What does a hand rash look like?
Hand rashes can appear in a variety of ways depending on the underlying cause. Some of the common characteristics of hand rashes include:
- itch: The rash often becomes itchy.
- erythema: This is a phenomenon in which blood vessels near the skin surface expand and become discolored. It may appear red in light skin tones, purple in dark skin tones, or difficult to see in very dark skin tones.
- area: The size of the rash varies. Borders may be well defined or uneven.
- bumps or blisters: Hand rashes may cause bumps or fluid-filled blisters.
- pain or discomfort: The rash may be painful or uncomfortable.
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Potential Causes of Hand Rash
Hand rashes have many potential causes, including these 12:
irritant contact dermatitis
One of the most common causes of hand rashes is irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation that occurs when the skin comes into contact with certain substances. The following symptoms may occur:
- Burning or pain
- Color changes (often red in light skin tones, purple in dark skin tones, or unnoticed)
- Papules (swollen, solid lesions)
- edema
- Blisters (fluid-filled lesions)
Irritant contact dermatitis only occurs where the skin comes into contact with an irritant. Therefore, the rash is usually localized and has defined boundaries.
Examples of substances that can cause irritant contact dermatitis include:
- cleaning tools
- industrial chemicals
- soap
- skin care products
allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of rash that occurs due to an allergic reaction. The rash may be found on the hands and other parts of the body.
This type of allergic reaction is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction that usually occurs 48 to 72 hours after exposure. The appearance of the rash depends on the allergen, but it tends to have the following characteristics:
- Discoloration (red in light skin tones, purple in dark skin tones, or other shades)
- itch
- blister
- edema
The rash usually appears only where the allergen touched the skin. This causes a well-circumscribed rash.
severe allergic reaction
A serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, is a life-threatening reaction to a variety of substances. Response occurs quickly. Common allergens that cause anaphylaxis include foods, insect stings, and medications.
One of the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction is a skin rash. The skin may feel hot, the rash may change color (from red to purple), and it may be itchy. There may also be some swelling.
Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, coughing, and fainting. If you or someone you are with has an anaphylactic reaction, call 911 immediately.
hives
Hives are raised spots on the skin. On lighter or medium skin tones, it will appear pink or red. In darker skin tones, it may be lighter or darker than your normal skin tone.
Hives can be very itchy and can vary in size. Hives may come and go, but they are usually harmless. They can be found almost anywhere on the body, including the hands.
In rare cases, hives are associated with angioedema (a type of swelling) in the mouth or throat. This is a medical emergency. If this happens to you or someone you are with, call 911 immediately.
eczema
Hand eczema is a skin condition that causes itchy, dry, scaly patches on the skin. The skin may crack and become quite painful. It is often mistaken for dry skin.
The causes of hand eczema vary from person to person. Some common causes include:
- If you wash your hands frequently or your hands are often wet
- Chemicals such as detergents and solvents
psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that causes gray or silver skin scales on light skin and dark brown or purplish-gray patches on dark skin. The skin beneath the scales may become red or discolored.
Psoriasis is caused when the immune system causes skin cells to grow faster, causing dead skin cells to accumulate on the skin's surface. Psoriasis is commonly found on the elbows, knees, and torso, but can be found anywhere on the body, including the hands.
sunburn
Often times, your hands are uncovered when you are in the sun, which can lead to sunburn. Unlike other types of burns, sunburn does not appear immediately. Symptoms begin about 4 hours after exposure and tend to improve after about 3 to 5 days.
Symptoms of sunburn include:
- Redness in people with light or medium skin tones and a deeper color than the surrounding skin tone in darker skin tones
- edema
- ache
- warm and soft skin
- peeling skin
- blister
To prevent sunburn, apply sunscreen to your hands and cover them if possible.
peeling skin syndrome
Peeling skin syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with only about 20 reported cases. This is a condition in which the top layer of the skin peels off. It is painless and occurs most often in the hands and feet.
Peeling skin syndrome tends to begin soon after birth, but may begin later.
ringworm of the hand
Manuum is a fungal skin condition that causes discolored patches. In darker skin tones, they may be brown or gray, and in lighter skin tones, they are often pink to red.
Skin peeling, dryness, and itching may occur. There is often a clear area in the center of the rash. Manuum is caused by the same fungal infection that causes athlete's foot and ringworm.
One of the unique features of tinea palma is that it tends to affect only one hand.
Lichen planus
Lichen planus is a skin condition that may or may not have a known cause. Some of the known causes include:
Symptoms of lichen planus include:
- The flat-topped bumps may be colored red to purple in light skin tones but may not discolor in dark skin tones.
- itch
- Scaly or white lines near the bump
Lichen planus can occur in the mouth, nails, scalp, and skin. When it occurs on the skin, it most commonly appears on the wrists, ankles, arms, and back.
hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infection in children. It causes fever, mouth ulcers, and rashes that commonly appear on the hands and feet. The rash appears as flat or raised patches that do not itch. In people with darker skin, the spots may be darker than the surrounding skin, while in people with lighter skin, they may be pink or red. Blisters may form around the rash area.
HFMD is a contagious viral disease that spreads through oral secretions, stool, and body fluids found in HFMD blisters.
cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection. Group A strep throat Although it is the most common cause, it can be caused by many different types of bacteria. Symptoms of cellulitis include:
- swollen skin
- It may be red in light skin tones, but may not be noticeably discolored in dark skin tones.
- ache
- Warm to the touch
- A phenomenon in which the skin becomes pitted like an orange peel
Cellulitis usually appears in the feet and legs. However, they can appear anywhere on the body.
Common Treatment Options
Hand rashes should be examined by a health care provider for diagnosis. Your health care provider will examine your rash, perform a physical examination, and ask questions about your health history.
Treatment depends on the cause. Some of the treatment options that may be prescribed or suggested include:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) creams and moisturizers
- antibiotics for bacterial infections
- steroid cream
- calamine lotion
- antifungal cream for fungal infections
- colloidal oatmeal
Can hand rashes be prevented?
It may not be possible to prevent all hand rashes, but there are many ways to avoid triggers and reduce the likelihood of skin irritation.
If you have a hand rash caused by an underlying disease, be sure to follow your healthcare provider's treatment instructions. Take all prescription or OTC medications and keep your follow-up appointments. Other practical tips for preventing hand rashes include:
- Avoid triggers.
- Use unscented moisturizer.
- Wear gloves when gardening or working with irritants or chemicals.
- Protect your hands from dry, cold weather.
When to contact your health care provider
Something as simple as cold weather can cause a hand rash. Alternatively, it may indicate a more serious underlying condition.
If the rash persists or worsens, you should see your health care provider. Here are other signs that may indicate you need to see a health care provider for a hand rash:
summary
There are various causes of hand rash. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include moisturizers, steroid creams, and prescription medications. If your rash does not improve with home remedies, if it gets worse, or if you have symptoms other than the rash, contact your health care provider.