Medically Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on June 26, 2025
Cut Back on Handwashing
1 / 11

Cut Back on Handwashing

Handwashing is crucial for germ prevention, but reduce the amount of time your hands spend in water by washing less frequently. When you do wash, use lukewarm water and pat your hands dry with soft towels instead of rubbing with rough paper towels.

Go Natural With Soaps
2 / 11

Go Natural With Soaps

Any soap you use should be chemical-free and fragrance-free. Avoid antibacterial soaps or exfoliating options and stick to natural, allergen-free choices.

Avoid Hand Sanitizers
3 / 11

Avoid Hand Sanitizers

When possible, skip the hand sanitizer. Water washing is less irritating when you need to clean your hands. Tip: If you must use hand sanitizer, carry your own alcohol-free version (and follow-up moisturizer!), one that you know is more gentle on your hands.

Wear Gloves
4 / 11

Wear Gloves

Gloves can be a great help when you’re going about your daily activities. Not only do they help prevent scratching and picking, but they also protect your hands from irritants. Choose soft, cotton gloves, and if you don’t need fingertip protection, you can cut off the tips of the gloves to keep your hands cooler.

Care for Cracks in Skin
5 / 11

Care for Cracks in Skin

When eczema flares and your hands crack, treat them quickly and well to help the area heal quickly. Use thick ointments or creams, and cover with bandages to protect from further harm.

Choose Your Moisturizer Wisely
6 / 11

Choose Your Moisturizer Wisely

You want your moisturizer or cream to have very little water in it. The more water it has, the more quickly it will evaporate and stop protecting your skin. Greasy, water-repelling ointments such as petroleum jelly are a good choice.

Steer Clear of Triggers
7 / 11

Steer Clear of Triggers

Take care during food prep — many fruits and vegetables can cause an eczema flare. Citrus fruit, onions, chillies, and garlic are often eczema irritation culprits.

Keep Fingernails Short
8 / 11

Keep Fingernails Short

If you’re likely to scratch absentmindedly, make sure your nails are trimmed so they do as little damage as possible. Ideally, you shouldn’t scratch at all! Keeping hands moisturized will help, but a cold compress can help sooth an itch in a pinch.

Be Cautious With Jewelry
9 / 11

Be Cautious With Jewelry

Rings and watches can trap moisture and irritants and kick up itchy irritation. Remove jewelry when you’re doing any wet work, sweaty work, or when you wash your hands. If your hands get wet while you’re wearing jewelry, be sure to remove it and dry carefully underneath.

Assess Your Activities
10 / 11

Assess Your Activities

Some professions make hand eczema management more difficult. If you can, change how often you come into contact with irritants.

Hand Off Washing Duties
11 / 11

Hand Off Washing Duties

Dishes and laundry and dog washing — all of these regular chores require working with water. When possible, leave the wetness to others (or a machine). Use the dishwasher, washing machine, and a dog groomer — or divide up the chores among your household so your duties are the dry ones.

Show Sources

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

  1. E+/Getty Images
  2. Moment/Getty Images
  3. E+/Getty Images
  4. E+/Getty Images
  5. Olga Ternavskaia/Dreamstime
  6. E+/Getty Images
  7. (Clockwise from top left) iStock/Getty Images, iStock/Getty Images, iStock/Getty Images, iStock/Getty Images
  8. Tetra Images/Getty Images
  9. Connect Images/Getty Images
  10. Moment/Getty Images
  11. E+/Getty Images

SOURCES: 

National Eczema Association: “Hand Eczema.”

National Eczema Society: “Hand Eczema.”

Mayo Clinic: “Atopic Dermatitis.”

Eczema Society of Canada: “Treating Hand Eczema.”