Hand dermatitis: a review of clinical features, prevention and treatment

Hand dermatitis is a socially significant health problem. This review provides a discussion on the clinical features and patterns as well as the differential diagnosis of hand dermatitis, because these are essential for proper diagnosis in clinical practice. The morphology, however, is poorly related to the etiology in chronic cases. In all cases of chronic hand dermatitis, a full diagnostic examination should be undertaken and the etiology should be clarified and addressed in the treatment concept, instead of just moving directly from a morphological diagnosis to therapy. Preventive measures should be included in the treatment concept according to etiology. A stepwise approach for escalating therapy is advised, including basic topical therapy, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, as well as phototherapy and systemic therapy with corticosteroids, alitretinoin, cyclosporine, methotrexate, azathioprine, and others.