DermHelpCentral

Basics of Hand Dermatitis Management

This is a valuab le handout for persons with chronic hand dermatitis.  The pdf can be easily printed: Download Hand Derm Management Guide

It was taken from an article by Dr. Erin Warshaw:  see post called "Hand Dermatitis Overview." 

Hand Dermatitis Overview

Dr. Erin Warshaw of  has written a superb overview of hand dermatitis which was published in 2007.  It's a bit detailed, but you may find some interesting information here Download Hand derm over

Also see the handout on "Hand Dermatitis Management" which is in this section.

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating of hands, feet, and axillae (armpits) is a distressing symptom to those affected.  Often the treatment is not completely satisfactory or too expensive. 

As an introduction to the topic, there was a good article in the NY Times: Rx for Patients who Sweat Too Much.  If you want more information, you can visit the International Hyperhidrosis Society.  (Keep in mind that these organizations often receive support from pharmaceutical or device manufacturers)

Frictional Hand Dermatitis

Physical friction is under-recognized as an irritant that can
cause or contribute to contact dermatitis.  E. McMullen and D.J. Gawkrodger, Br. J. Dermatol 2006:154;154-6

Department of Dermatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, U.K.

Download Frictional Hand Dermatitis

Background The role of physical friction as an irritant in the causation of contact dermatitis is under-recognized. Frictional dermatitis is defined as an eczematous process in which physical frictional trauma contributes to the induction of a dermatitis process.
Objectives To examine the clinical background of patients in whom friction was contributing to dermatitis.
Methods Over a 30-month period during which 2700 new patients were seen, frictional irritancy was identified as playing a role in the dermatosis in 31 cases: in 27 of these, case notes were evaluated for a range of parameters.
Results Physical friction was identified as causing or contributing to the dermatitis in 18 men and nine women, mean age at onset 42 years. The hands, usually the fingers of the dominant hand, were affected in all but two cases. Occupational frictional activities were found in 25 cases: commonly handling small metal components, paper, cardboard or fabric, and driving. Potential frictional activities in hobbies were noted in 12 cases. Wet work irritancy contributed in four cases (15%). Patch testing showed relevant contact allergies as cofactors in seven of 25 subjects tested (26%). Psoriasis was a cofactor in four (15%), and atopic dermatitis in 11. The study was selective, being based in a teaching hospital clinic with a special interest in contact dermatitis. Frictional irritancy is often one of several factors contributing to dermatitis.
Conclusions The contribution of friction to contact dermatitis is under-recognized probably because dermatologists do not think about the potential for physical forces to induce eczematous changes in the skin.

See illustrative case on VGRD Blog

Acne: An Essay by Danielle Ofri

Danielle Ofri, the Editor of the Bellevue Literary Review and prolific author has a fine article on acne that appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine a few years back.

"A young Navajo woman files silently into my office, making no eye contact. As she slips into
the chair, errant strands of black hair spill across her face. Through the breaches, I catch glimpses of her rich dark skin riddled with the pockmarks of severe acne. Violently swollen pustules and angry red craters contort the architecture of her face. Her shoulders slope into her slight body, as if afraid to claim too much territory on their own. She contemplates the linoleum wordlessly. I am almost afraid to interrupt."

For full article:  Download Acne Ofri