Definition
Skin rash on the hands is initially understood to be visible skin changes on the hands. By definition, a skin rash is a so-called “exanthema”. Skin changes of the same type are characteristic.
For example, redness that looks the same appears side by side. In order to better define the rash, various characteristics can be assessed, such as localization (palm, back of the hand, fingers. ), distribution (symmetrical, striped, circular.) and character (scaly, blistered, reddened. ).
Causes
The most common causes of a rash on the hands are listed below. The individual diseases are then explained in more detail.
- Allergic contact eczema
- Toxic contact eczema
- Dry skin
- Hand-foot-mouth disease or scarlet fever
- Stress
- Neurodermatitis
- Mental causes
- Infectious diseases like syphilis and shingles
Sometimes an allergy can be hidden behind a rash on the hands.
In principle, numerous substances can be the cause. However, they are often occupational substances or cosmetics (e.g. fragrances in hand creams). The so-called “toxic contact eczema” is based on direct contact of the hands with irritating substances.
Often our hands come into contact with harmful substances in the course of everyday activities or at work. These include cleaning agents, citric acid, alkaline solutions or hairdressing chemicals. This is why we sometimes speak of “housewives’ eczema” or “hairdressers’ eczema”.
Typically, children suffer from the skin rash transmitted by viruses. Occasionally, however, adults also suffer from the disease. The highly contagious pathogens spread by droplet infection and cause rashes in the area of the hands, feet and mouth.
In most cases, the hand-foot-mouth disease is accompanied by a painful inflammation of the oral mucosa. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is usually caused by so-called enteroviruses of group A, to which the Coxsackie virus also belongs. Scarlet fever is also often caused by exanthema in children.
As a rule, not only the hands are affected but also the neck and head area. In addition, a coating on the tongue is typical, which leads to the so-called “strawberry tongue“. The skin rash is usually itch-free.
and scarlet fever Healthy skin has a natural barrier function. Potentially harmful substances are thus prevented from penetrating. At the same time our skin maintains an important moisture balance.
With dry skin, the barrier function is disturbed. As a result, we lose moisture and natural skin lipids. Many people tend to have dry skin, especially on stressed areas of the body such as the hands.
Cracky, scaly or inflamed skin rashes can be the unpleasant consequence. Various factors also favour the development of dry skin. In particular, too frequent hand washing with soap can cause lasting damage to the barrier.
But cold temperatures and dry heating air can also cause dry skin and rashes on the hands of sensitive people, especially in winter. In order to prevent a rash, the application of rich, fragrance-poor and refatting hand creams is recommended. It is not for nothing that the popular saying ‘The skin is the mirror of the soul’ is on many people’s lips.
It is therefore not surprising that many people suffer from rashes on their hands when under stress. Pimples, redness or spots often appear on the face, neck or décolleté. Occasionally rashes due to stress can also be observed on the hands.
In addition, many people tend to unconsciously “manipulate” their own skin when under psychological stress. Nervous scratching or nibbling, especially of the cuticles, is not uncommon. Excessive nail biting can also cause small injuries in the finger area and create entry points for pathogens.
Permanent stress also damages our immune system. Responsible immune cells are shut down in their activity and our body is more susceptible to diseases, including skin disorders. For example, it is known that neurodermatitis can worsen under psychological stress.
Those affected can then suffer from scaly and dry skin rash on the hands, among other things. Stress-sensitive people can try to reduce their stress, e.g. through autogenic training, yoga or relaxation exercises. Nourishing hand creams can prevent the hands from drying out.
Neurodermatitis is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases. Typical are dry skin, pronounced itching and rashes in the crook of the elbow and knee, body folds and on the back of the hand.Especially children and teenagers in puberty can have dry spots, redness and dandruff on their hands. Often a fine scaling of the fingertips can be added.
In addition to the skin rash, affected persons tend to have an increased drawing of the lines on the palm of the hand. The main problem of neurodermatitis is the sometimes severe itching. In the acute “flare” of neurodermatitis, affected persons can apply ointments containing cortisone to their hands.
In the long term, the focus is on avoiding allergy-causing substances and balanced, coordinated skin care. Psychologically caused skin rashes on the hands are not uncommon. Dermatologists are often at the end of their rope and cannot find a physically tangible cause.
In this case, one speaks of “idiopathic” skin rash. It occurs in psychologically stressful situations, such as separation or loss of loved ones, examinations or occupational stress. Nevertheless, clarifying examinations should be carried out beforehand.
Only in this way can other causes (e.g. an allergy) be excluded. A kind of “symptom diary” can be helpful. This allows those affected to note when the rash appears on their hands and whether there is a connection with psychological stress.
In addition to hand-mouth-foot disease and scarlet fever, there are other infectious diseases that lead to a skin rash but do not necessarily occur in childhood. One of these is syphilis, in the secondary stage of which papules appear on the inner surfaces of the hands and feet. These are usually not associated with itching, but exanthema is often found in the mouth and nose area and at the hairline.
Fever is one of the accompanying symptoms of syphilis. Furthermore, shingles is accompanied by a skin rash, which in a few cases can also occur on the hands. The rash is usually localized on one side and occurs at a single site with many blisters.
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